| LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. \ 

j CMTKI) m AMKHICA. J 

^%.'%^^'%.'»^'%^%^'%^^'»^-%^'%- Dl 



RECORD OF BENEVOLENT EFFORTS 

IN BEHALF OF 

SEAMEN'S DESTITUTE FAMILIES 

IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 

PBEVIOUS TO, AND SINCE, THE OBGANTZATION AND INCOBPOBATION OP THE 



PORT OF NEW YORK, 

AND THE FOUNDING OF THE 

MARINERS' FAMILY ASYLUM, 



ON THE GEOUNDS OF THE 




*VK SEAMEN'S FUND AND RETREAT, STATEN ISLAND. 



COMPILED BY 

Mrs. 0. W. HAWKINS, Mrs. CAPT. T. LAMBERT and 
11 Mrs. CAPT. S. LOVELAND, 

AT THE BEQUEST OF THE 

MARINERS' FAMILY INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY, 

AT THEIE TWENTIETH ANNIVEESAET, JUNE, 1864. 



NEW YORK : 

MARINERS' FAMILY INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY. 
1865. 



m> 



~-^fi£~<A *-*~. /frr 



3{x 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by 

I.OVKI.AM), 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New York. 



1 



b &-£ 



« l\ l<. X 



• * v I 



GO INT TENTS. 



PAGE 

Introductory Remarks, Synoptical Report of the Female Bethel As- 
sociation, Preamble, Constitution and By-Laws of the Mar- 
iners' Family Industrial Society of the Port of New York. . 5 

First and Second Annual Reports of the Mariners' Family Industrial 

Society 11 

Third Annual Report — Application made to the Sec. of the Navy, 
Number of seamen's widows in this city and vicinity, inform- 
ation as to surplus Fund accruing from the tax on Seamen, 
Petitioning the Legislature and appointment of a Committee 
to proceed to Albany, Thanks of the Society presented to the 
members of the Legislature, Favorable attitude of a majority of 
the Board of Trustees of Seamen's Fund & Retreat. . .14 

Additional particulars as to the moving cause, and first steps taken 
in reference to founding a home for the aged and destitute of 
seamen's families; Consultation with Mayor Mickle by Mrs. 
Lambert, petition drawn up by Lawyer McKene, and presented 
to Board of Trustees of Seamen's Fund and Retreat by Mrs. R. 
H. Lambert. Drafting of Memorial and Petition to the Legisla- 
ture, circular letter to the members of Senate and Assembly by 
Mrs. A. C. Loveland. Shipmasters and seamen's petition pre- 
sented by Hon. Daniel Sickles. Petition and Memorial of The 
M. F. I. Soc. presented by the same gentleman. Passing of the 
Bill by the Assembly 16 

Effort to defeat the action of the Assembly. . . . . 17 

Appointment of Mrs. C. "W. Hawkins & Mrs. R. 11. Lambert as Leg- 
islative Com., the opposition encountered, the efforts of friends 
— Bill favorably reported by Hon. Orville Clark. Fourth An- 
- nual Report. Compilation by Legislative Com. of a History of 
the Mariners' Fund. The passage of the Act of Nov., 1847, 
amendatory of the Law of 1831. 18 

Said Act amended Dec. 14th, 1847. Canceling debt due the State 
by the Trustees of S. F. & Retreat, and placing in their hands 
$10,000 wherewith to build a Home 21. 

History of the Mariners' Fund. Appropriations made from it from 
time to time. Petition of Shipmasters & Mariners in 1830. 
Appointment of new Board of Trustees. Sale of State Stocks, 
&c. Summing up of all the data relative to said Fund, , . 22 



Firth Ann appointmenl of Mrs. it. H. Lambert as the 

B, Fun.l end It. to risH among Seamen'a needy Fam 

itiOD Of tin- Manners' Family Industrial 

ined 2f> 

laJ Report, " - Demilt, Enaction of 

ami II., ........ 

th Annual Repor April 22d, L840, ap- 

propriating additional to be appliod 

Three years of d< 'U on the part of TniMn - of 8 F. and 

.;. renewed appeal to the legislature reuniting in the pae- 
of the 4th act amendatory of the act of 1881, creating a 
■d defining their duties, Board of 

Oonoael ol •. for 1861 ,.31 

Eighth Annual Report, First deaths from among our Board of Man 

agcrs 33 

lence between the Board of Managers of If. F. I. B 
ami the Board of Trustees of the Mariners 1 Family Asylum, 

with the Beport, Ac. of said board 3r> 

irrenoe of Board of Trustees of s. F. and R. with the Report 
1 -m. of the Whole of the Board of Trustees of M. F. Asylum. 

tion of site for the Asylum, Reconsideration by Trust 

I It. of their vote to concur with Board of Trustees of the 

m, and declaring it null arid >•<>/'/. Tune loth. 1861, > 
the Board of Trustees of the Mariners' 1 Family a-.\ 
lum at which it was decided to obtain legal opinion* of Dame) 
I and others, 0op3 of Daniel Lord^ Opinion. 

's opinion and Report of Building Com. 

of The Mariners 1 Family Asylum, Decision fcO tOOSte the Asylum 
tea, ....... 

Ninth Annual Report, Kindred industrial organizations referred to, It 

The laying of the Corner-stone of the Mariners' Family Asylum 
June 19th, 1852, and the completion of the Building, Notifica- 
tion 1 8. I', and It. that they will not take upon 
then oversight of the If. F. I. Asylum, . . . US 
Acknowledgment of ind is to our Board of Counsel, dec. 47 
of •'. B. Graham, ESq., Chairman of Building Com. of M. F. 
:n. Tenth Annual Report Opening of The M. V. 

lum in May. 1864, and its formal dedicatory services June 9th, 

. ■ . Henry Chi 

Of M. F. I. Soc. and Oapt 0. II. 
ball, Honor tnberd of said Society. . 

nth Annual Report. A \;>ril 12 th, 1864, relative to 

pport and management ylum. . . .64 

Endii • dative Com. of The M. F- I. Hoc. 

.■ !; ial Report . r j? 

nth Annual Report 

nth Annual Report 

I'uhl. I ciing of T! h\ 

61 



69 

. 05 

.• of 

M. I . 66 



Discontinuing the publication of The Sea Bird. Seventeenth Annual 

Report 68 

Eighteenth Annual Report. Closing of the Society's Store. . 70 

Nineteenth Annual Report. 71 

Twentieth Annual Report. Death of Lambert Suydam, Esq., 

Pres. Board of Counsel of M. F. I. Soc. . . . .73 

Death of Capt. E. E. Morgan, Member of Board of Counsel of M. F. 

I. Soc 74 

Death of Capt. James Hart, Superintendent of Seamen's Retreat. 

Gift of Chauncey Rose, Esq. Reception of Mrs R. H. Lambert. 75 

Summing up of some of the results of the labors of M. F. I. Society. 78 . 

Relative to Board of Counsel of M. F. I. Soc. ., .. . . 7V. 



OFFICERS AND MANAGERS, 

FOR THE YIELA-IR 1864-5- 



a W. 1! v • ' blrtctreu. 

rmanl Av. i 

Brooklyn, - Second ZHrtetrett. 

ii. \s . .i..i ■■. \ Lelphi St., Brooklyn, 7>< 

I Rivington 6t» - - - Secretary. 

TIiiiiiiK«r«. 

Km O.M'T. J. Bovu, ir.' Oxford St., Brooklyn. 
•• i:. W. M ■ B8K, 57 Seventh St. 
" .1. L. RoBXBTS, B. I. 
" •• J. rmerhorn St., Brooklyn. 

11 '• .1. Davis, 199 East Broadway. 

•• L J. Bbiogs, ±6 Jerolameo St., Brooklyn, 
kivington Street 
M '• Wm. J imberland Street, Brooklyn. 

5, P. Ohabb, Brooklyn. 
41 C. A. Iuwin. (al s. 0. Hill's, 12 Piatt Street, New York.) 

St. 

.. Brooklyn. 
Willonghby A v.. Dear Oarlton, Brooklyn. 
11 A. Kills, St Germain 11 

; 1 w.i.. Clifton, States Island. 
•• Wm. Wilson, Washington Av., near De Kalb, Brooklyn. 

Mr])nVM D, S. 1. 

" i;. w. Pj . !i Avenue. 

••I' Jth Street. 

II o ii r il ofCounnrl. 



(' LPT. A. S\ 

< '. v. I issfer. 



LSD J. THO 

W. I I 

\ iifl it iiiK 4 ommilli • . 

| 

tonorary managers. On motlOD 
llonoriii-7 »Iiinrii;« i>. 

Mrs. I . Brooklyn. 

Wm m ii lbs 
fork. 'I . LSSKTOBD, Nr.ft J 

LOW, 

, Piermont 

" 



The Board of Counsel of The Maeiners' Family Industrial Society 
of the Port of New York, cheerfully endorse this historical summary of 
the Society's labors since they have been identified with its proceedings, 
and feel the fullest confidence in its accuracy, (from what they know of 
the ladies compiling this record,) as to matters occurring prior to their 
organization as a Board of Counsel. 

GEORGE KICAED, President. 
R. J. THORNE, Treasurer. 
JEREMIAH BRIGGS. 
NATHANIEL BRIGGS, Secretary. 
C. K BOYEE, Counsel 



EECOKD OF BENEVOLENT EFFORTS 

IN BEHALF OF 

SEAMEN'S DESTITUTE FAMILIES, 

IN THE POET OF NEW YOEK, 
:f:r,o:iuc the "y:e-a.:r 183s to lse-i. 



To look back thirty-two years, over a pathway strewn with 
opportunities for usefulness to our fellows, must be to an 
individual no common privilege. But to stand thus as the 
historians of a society, with its records accessible, its Ebe- 
nezers, reared amid opposition and misrepresentation, visible 
on either hand — the gratulations of its friends ringing in 
our ears, making the enforced silence of its enemies more 
striking by contrast — with the knowledge that we have out- 
lived misunderstanding, imputations of selfishness, and the 
many petty trials that sometimes made the days dark and 
the nights sleepless, is surely allowed to very few ! Yet 
such is our present position. Some of those who began with 
the dawn of our Society's day, thirty-two years ago, remain 
to rejoice over the " desire accomplished ;" and, fearful lest 
the lessons taught us by God's good providence should lose 
their vitality, or the labors of those who wrought and suf- 
fered for the cause that banded us together, and whom the 
Master has called to give an account of their stewardship, 
fail of appreciation, the effort is made at this time to embody 
the salient points of our history in a simple form, that those 
who come after us may thank Him who directed all our way. 

There was a time when none cared for the sailor's family 
but the Female Bethel Association, in our great commercial 
city. In 1841, " before the public mind was leavened with 
the ethics of the present day, now so widely diffused and so 



1 in industrial schools, children's aid 
1 1 me of oar present number (A. 0. L.) received 
from her v many years since has been our faithful 

and efficienl First Directress, (Mrs, Charles W. Elawkius) 
.il Annual Reports of the Beaten Aid Society, showing 
what had uplished there in providing work; at fair 

the female relatives of seamen. The seed thus 
■own, at a time when unusual effort Mas being made by 
Mrs. Oapt I. K. Turner and other friends to provide alms 
for distribution among saanann'n needy families, germinated 
finaHy in 1848, in the merging of the Female Bethel Asso- 
ciation into the organisation now known as the Mariners 7 
Family Industrial Society, of the port of New York. The 
following Report, prepared at the time, brings before us the 
actuaj position of their alfairs. 

: u Eta •< "i rt of the Female Bethel Association , from 
1832 to L843 ; 

At the last meeting of the Female Bethel Association, 
prior to iN merging into the Mariners' Family Industrial 

Port of New York, it was resolved, 4k That 

the hooks of the Association be examined, and a synopsis of 
their receipts and expenditures, together with the average 

number of applications for aid, attended to by the members 

of the same during each winter since their organization, he 

given, with whatever more may seem proper to be embodied 

in, and that the same be prefixed to the Constitution of 

' | Family Industrial Society* 

Wits kept by the Secretary and 
:;i of $2447.49, in due- and doiiat ions have 

and $2443.66, expended. Between four and 
ind eleven hundred pairs sln.es have 
- quantities of bedding, provision, 

find, i 

number of applieatt as tot aid during the winter 

! five hundred, the usual averags 

L From forty to ftfty seamen's widows 

with young children, have been aided from the funds: and 

from r -\ .mien, tin- mothers. wi\ i 

idily pensioned. Six of 

. some have been previa 



ded for by friends, and there are now but four who remain 
to be transmitted to the Mariners' Family Industrial Society 
as Pensioners. 

The number of Annual Members has ranged from thirty 
to fifty. But two persons have been constituted Life Mem- 
bers. The Kev. Henry Chase in 1833, and Mrs. A. C. 
Loveland in 1841. 

To the Port Society, we would tender our most grateful 
thanks for the gratuitous use of a room in the basement of 
the Mariners' Church, ever since our organization, and we 
trust the blessing of many ready to perish may descend 
upon them. 

. To the Board of Brokers, whose munificent donation, at a 
time of great pecuniary embarrassment, enabled the Associ- 
ation to continue their charitable labors among the deserv- 
ing ; we would also proffer our thanks, and gladly acknow- 
ledge the gratitude we feel. 

The Association would also thankfully record the gene- 
rosity of Mr. David "Williams toward them, when friends 
were few and applicants importunate. 

To all who have at any time aided the Association, either 
as Donors or Members, we desire and hope that they will 
extend to our successors in this sphere of labor, equal or 
greater favor — conscious that even greater obligations can- 
not elicit deeper thankfulness. 

Having, to the best of our ability, discharged the duty 
assigned us — we leave it to the consciences of those who 
read, whether in view of so wide a field for exertion they 
will not come to our assistance. 

MRS. E. BENNET, MRS. B. BOVEE, MRS. A. C. LOVELAND, 

On behalf of the Female Bethel Association. 

PREAMBLE. 

Whereas, the Female Bethel Association having for 
years labored among the destitute families of seamen, their 
widows and orphans, striving by counsel and charity to 
ameliorate their condition ; hoping from year to year to see 
something more wrought out for the objects of their care, 
than their Constitution permitted them to undertake ; and 
having thus far been disappointed, feel impelled by a sol- 
emn sense of duty, to enlarge their sphere of labor, revise 
their Constitution, and under a new name, and new man- 
agement undertake the establishment of the " Charity of 



8 

M with their former plan of distribution 
v : and to this end do agree to transfer to the 

• ,ilv Industrial Society, pf the Port of New 
York," all the hooks and other property of the above organ- 
isation, together with the names of those individuals who 

constituted themselves Life Members of the "Female 
. Association," stipulating that those persons be con* 
sidered Life Members or "The Mariners' Family Industrial 
v, of the PoU of New Fork." 

I Family Industrial Society of 

10 York) adopted Dec. } 1S43. 

-This Society shall he called "The Mari- 
Family Industrial Society of the Port of New York." 
yeoond. — The Objeetof this Society shall be two- 
told : to provide work, at a fair remuneration, for the female 
members of the families of seamen ; and to relieve the neces- 

of Bnch families of the same as are incapable of labor, 
including their widows and orphans. 

Third. — The business of this Society shall be con- 
ducted by a Board of Officers and Managers, to be chosen 

annually, by ballot, which Board shall consist of a First and 
1 Directress, Secretary, Treasurer, and twenty Man- 

The Board shall have power to bold meetings, enact by- 
fil] any vacancy in their body between the annual 
make contracts, appoint agents, and control all 

rrangements necessary to carry into effect the industrial 

and benevolent purposes of the Society. Five shall consti- 

b quorum. The meetings of the Society Bhall be opened 
by reading a portion of scripture and prayer. 

[1 .-hall be the duty of tin; First Direc- 

at all meetings of the Hoard ; and in CSSC of 

!Ond Directress J or in the event of both 

I shall eh-ct a I directress pro tern. 

may at any time, by and with the concur- 
:al meeting of the Hoard. 

retary shall keep a register of the 

both bf'- and annual members, the names of <lo- 

amount of donations and subscriptions, and pay 

• each meeting of the Board the 

. and faithfully record all hit 

ings. In ease of her 



9 

absence, a Secretary pro tem. shall be appointed by the 
Board. 

Article Sixth. — It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to 
receive and hold, subject to the order of the Board, all 
moneys entrusted to her care. 

Previous to each annual meeting the accounts of the 
Treasurer must be audited by a Committee, chosen by the 
Board. At the first meeting in each month a written report 
of the financial business of the Society must be presented to 
the Board. 

Drafts on the Treasury must be drawn by the Secretary, 
and countersigned by the First or Second Directress and 
one Manager. 

Article Seventh, — It shall be the duty of each Manager, if 
possible, to be present at all meetings of the Board, and 
conform scrupulously to the by-laws the Board shall enact 
for the furtherance of the objects contemplated ; and also 
exert herself in every proper manner, to extend the influence 
and advance the interests of the Society. 

Article Eighth. — Every person who shall annually pay one 
dollar to the Society, shall thereby become a member, and 
ten dollars shall constitute a life-member. 

All members shall have a vote in the deliberations of the 
Society, and the privilege of recommending suitable persons 
for employment or relief ; such persons only as are related 
to 6ea-faring men being eligible. 

Article Afinth. — The Society shall hold their regular annu- 
al meeting in December, at which time a written report of 
their proceedings must be submitted, by the Board, and 
upon its acceptance, the Society shall take measures to en- 
sure its publicity. 

Article Tenth. — Any amendment of the above Constitution 
must have been proposed in writing at a previous meeting of 
the Board ; and may be adopted by a vote of the majority of 
the Society, either at its annual meeting, or a special one 
called for that purpose— provided — the amendment refer to 
no appropriation of the funds of the Society other than those 
specified in this Constitution. 

By-Laws adopted by the Board of Managers, Jan. 9th, 1844. 

Article First. — The regular meetings of the Board shall be 
held every Tuesday, at 2 P. M., in the basement of the 
Mariners' Church, Boosevelt street; from the first Tuesday 



10 

the la-t in March: after which time tlio 

shall la' on the last Tuesday of each month, until 
the i of the year. 

I 'in- meetings shall be opened with read- 
tog a portion of scripture and prayer; 9d, Reading the mm- 
3d, I'ntinirdicd business and reports of committees j 
4th, The appointment of now cotmurtteos j 5th, reports of 
0th, New bosk 

Third. — It shall be the duty of the Manage 
supply themselves with a hook, in which they shall record 
the names of new members obtained by themselves; solicit 
subs c r iption s and donations, rendering an account of the 
Fame at the next meeting of the Board : and as soon as work 
can be given out, they Shall instruct such members of sea- 
- families as are ignorant df good sewing, in some branch 
of female industry, and also, in their visits endeavor to lead 

them and their families to a love of religion and morality. 

Fourth* Suitable members of the Society may 

• ; !it<'d "ii committees in connection with some mem- 

id. 

Fifth, — The nomination of persona to serve on 

committees must proceed from the Board, unless the Chair 

be requested to nominate. 

Arlii BS the fund designed for busi 

itiona amount- to $1000, a Store shall be opened, and a 

suitable person employed to take charge of it. to be termed 
or, whose compensation shall be determined by 

loard, and whose duty it shall be to enter on a book the, 

ted by the Society's store, the number of articles 

'.at to be made, the number returned, together with 

paid for making; which book must be open for 

the inc of members of the BoarfL At each meeting 

Hoard, the bpokj or a correct copy .if the. entries upon 
it, mUSl be submit! 

;/ <. -A committee of four shall be appointed 

duty it -hall be t<> \ bit the store frequently, 

is maintained, make reports, etc., 

two n of the old committee remaining on with toe 

'h. 

ifficient to open a store i j 
proper persons may he appointed 
• d the cutting and making of some 
,!in^r apparel ; the requisite amount 



11 

for that object to be drawn from tbe $300 separated for im- 
mediate use. 

Article Ninth. — Any amendment or alteration of these 
By-Laws can be made by a vote of a majority of the Board 
at the next meeting after such amendment or alteration 
shall have been submitted in writing. 



We append hereto the following extracts from the 

First Annual Repobt of the Mariner J Family Industrial 
Society. 

" It may be proper here to take a retrospective view of the 
steps taken to establish among seamen's families, and com- 
mend to the public, the Charity of Wages. 

In December 1843, the Female Bethel Association, (which 
had labored for eleven years in collecting and disbursing 
alms among the needy of this class with little satisfaction to 
themselves, and perhaps less real benefit to the recipients of 
their charity,) opened a fair for the purpose of raising funds 
to enable them at some future period to open a store on the 
plan of the Seamen's Aid Society of Boston, but reserving 
the right to appropriate $300 of the proceeds to distribute 
among the needy on the former basis, if applied to for aid, 
by the deserving poor, prior to its establishment, 

"The amount realized by the fair was $935.44, of which 
Bum $635.44 was immediately deposited in the Seaman's 
Saving Bank, and the remainder on special deposite, subject 
to the order of the Treasurer. 

In compliance with a Constitution previously adopted by 
the Society, a Board of Officers and Managers were duly 
elected, and members immediately engaged in visiting the 
poor ; relieving such as came within the bounds of their 
Constitution, and directing those who did not to other sources 
of relief. 

About 700 such visits were made during the winter by 
the Board and membership, of which number but a small pro- . 
portion could be adequately relieved, but cases of the most 
thrilling interest were constantly taxing the sympathies of 
the visitors to the utmost. The aged pensioners of the Fe- 
male Bethel Association were rendered comfortable, and 
many respectable females, reduced by sickness, were saved 
from the Alms House, and some of them have since recover- 
ed, and now aid the fund which preserved them. 



12 

from the healthy and respectable poor OB every side 
for w<»rk. %k We thought you would give us 
work/' was nit. rat* d again and again, bo earnestly, » 

illy, thai with many fears and prayers, it was resolved 
in January, 1844, to appoint a purchasing committee, and 
authorize them to procure material for gentlemen's under- 
clothing, and thus anticipate the establishment of the indus- 
trial Intentions of the Society. ( >ther committees took charge 
of cutting and giving out the work, thus testing, <>n a BmaU 

. the principle we hud adopted ; nor wen- we disappoint- 
ed in its operation. Afflicted hut grateful hearts blessed ui 
for the opportunity of laboring, who would have rejected 
our alms. Sortie invalid women, who could not come out 
to obtain work, were supplied by the kind exertions of the 

members oi the Visjting Committees, and were thus enabled 

.: ;i a slight pittance though enfeebled ; others, ignorant 
of the use OI the needle, were Supplied with knitting, and 

instructed in plain needle-work by the patient visitors." 

"To tiie trustees of the Port Society we feel under (\cv\) 
itions, not only for the use of the basement of the 
Mariner.-' Church in RoOBevelt street, for two fairs in the 
COUne 6f a twelvemonth, and the continuance of the same 
f..r our weekly meetings, hut for many encouraging words 
and kind exertions in our behalf. May the good pleasure 
of the Lord prosper ill their hands. 

We now wish to make a suggestion to those who desire to 
aid us in tin- future. Many who apply tor work have no 
. and can only he employed on shirts and under- 
clothing; they are the ones WIIO suffer most from the low 
i paid for women's work ; they may he industrious and 
intelligent, and yet working with all diligence can earn hut 
twelve, or at most eighteen cents per day. 

It i.- principally to aid this class that we labor, and we 

who would aid US to throw the work they require 

into our hand-. We will he responsible for Its being well 

_iit. and thus these helpless Ottei he relieved and the 

d. 

Oh, that the truly benevolent in our midst would rehukc 

the unchristian and unholy principle of trade, which feelf 

justified in going to the cheapest market, though hy so doing 

of bread ami the widow of hope. 
• to the books kepi by the supervisor, we 
i mployed, during the past eight 
.ty-two workwomen : ha I ,037 garm< 



13 

have paid out in wages to workwomen during the same time 
$631.76, and distributed in charity during the year $282.10, 
among 149 families. 

The officers have entered npon their duties with a deter- 
mination to do all in their power to advance the interests of 
the Society, relying upon Him whose blessing maketh rich 
and brings no sorrow with it, and a discriminating commu- 
nity who are apparently desirous to establish charities which 
degrade not the recipient. 

On behalf of the Board, 

E. REIMER, Sec. 

From the Second Annual Report we take the following : 
Satisfied that the principle of removing poverty by fur- 
nishing the poor with employment at a fair remuneration, 
presents the only true and reasonable foundation on which 
to build a system for their permanent relief, we have made 
it a prominent object to render the business of the store as 
extensive and productive as our limited and scanty resources 
would allow. We have not, however, forgotten the sick and 
aged pensioners on the Society's bounty, but have contrib- 
uted to their necessities by a regular monthly allowance, 
and have also rendered assistance to others in cases of sick- 
ness and of peculiar emergency. 

During the year, application was also made to the Board 
of Trustees of the Sailors' Snug Harbor, requesting that the 
manufacture of the large amount of clothing annually re- 
quired at that institution might be placed at our disposal. 
It was deemed reasonable that the female relatives of the 
aged and disabled seamen there comfortably sheltered, fed 
and clothed, should receive the profit derived from the 
manufacture of their clothing. Our petition was favorably 
entertained, yet after the reception of one or two orders, we 
were told that unless we would perform the work at the 
same low prices as other clothing establishments, it must be 
placed in other hands. 

The amount received from sales, including cash received 
for manufacturing garments from furnished materials, has 
been ... - $2,914 40 

The number of garments made, - - 1949 

Average number of workwomen employed, - 45 

To whom there has been paid wages, - $1,287 39 

Distributed in charity to pensioners and benefi- 
ciaries, .... $152 88 



11 

tlothing ob hand, Dec 17, L&45, 

.? - ' - - - S711 l»7 

I • the little Ml, that, gently and unnoticed, ripples 

ray to the majestic river, and helps to fill the bed 

of the mighty ocean, we would help t<> swell the tide of 

kindly and benevolent effort, that shall yel humanize, reno- 

and fertilize the widely-extended field of human 

idation and w i 

Jn behalf of the Board, 

Us*. O.TRAOY, 6 

Third Annual Report says ! 

n- now closed, thoujgh commenced with many (ears 
an 1 much solicitude has been one of decided prog 

than a hundred women haw received employment to 

iter or teas extent, to whom has been paid in v. 

5. We think no one ( ' :i 'i donbt the elevating tendency, 

and healthful influence of our method of aiding the poor and 

r'ty over that of almsgiving. In our last report 

lompelled to complain, that although in answer to 

our petition, the Board of Trustees of the Sailors* Snug 1 lar- 

I ad passed a resolution to give ui the manufacture of 

f [Uired at that Institution, yet the orders were 

! :.d that we were obliged to till some ef them at such 

i far as they extended, the designs 

inization. We arc happy to he aide to say that 

y.:ir now closed they have given us the whole 
amount of work required and at .such prices as not only to 
to pay our workwomen the accustomed remunera- 
tion hut to aid us materially in defraying the expenses of our 
>lishment 

*' . s. s. II. assures as, that the cloth- 
i much satisfaction, 
tmon'fl Retreat with which wc 
I ince the establishment of our E 

: during I year been withheld; hut not, we 

L, iron any unwillini facilitate our enter 

I 

to make an effort to obtain from 

iment an order for manufacturing some of the doth- 
. B . B. 0. 0. Parker roluw 1 
i this matter, and visit Washington for 

the ] lining th iry information, and 

I an influent favor. One or- 



15 

der only resulted, although the venerable Mrs. Alexander 
Hamilton — now in her ninety-second year — made personal 
and persevering exertions in our behalf. 

From the best data in our possession we are satisfied 
that not less than one thousand widows of seamen besides 
a very large number of widowed mothers whose sons have 
been lost at sea, are residing in this city and vicinity. Many 
of these are in comfortable circumstances and need no aid, 
but a large proportion need sympathy and effort. Deeply 
feeling the necessity of some measure for their relief, and 
convinced that to aid them with the greatest economy and 
advantage, it must be in an associated capacity, we were 
induced during the winter to make a special effort to provide 
for them a Home. 

It is w T ell known that the Retreat for sick and invalid sea- 
men on Staten Island, is sustained by a direct tax on the 
sailor, and that a large surplus fund has accumulated and is 
constantly and rapidly increasing. It seemed to us reasona- 
ble that a portion of this fund, accruing as it does from the 
hard-earned wages of the sailor, thus abridging the comforts 
of his family, should be appropriated to sustain an Asylum 
for the aged and destitute females connected with him by 
kindred ties. AVith this view we have petitioned the Legis- 
lature now in session to empower the Board of Trustees of 
the Seamen's Fund and Retreat, to use such portion of the 
surplus funds as may be necessary to establish and sustain 
6uch an asylum. From conversation with a large number 
of masters, officers and sailors we are satisfied that such an 
appropriation would be hailed with joy by the whole class, 
and render them willing to continue the payment of a tax 
now considered so burdensome. Many who had signed a 
petition praying for a remission of the tax, have withdrawn 
their names and attached them to our petition. 

With a determination to use every possible exertion to 
procure a favorable answer to the petition one of our mana- 
gers, (Mrs. R. H. Lambert,) was sent to Albany with the 
nope of enlisting the interest of our legislators by rendering 
them more familiar with the grounds on which we base the 
reasonableness of this request, than could be done by any 
other method. 

During eighteen days, with a degree of moral courage and 
self-denial which entitle her to the warmest thanks of the 
Society, and with a degree of perseverance and laborious 
effort worthy the cause in which she was engaged she sue- 



L6 

d in obtaining a persona] interview with the Governor, 

Lieutenant Governor and one hundred and thirty-four mem- 

ite and Assembly, to whom she presented the 

our petition. At the Annual meeting of the 

y it was unanimously resolved " That the thanks of 

v be presented t<> the members of the Legislature 

it agent a kindly hearing; for the ardor with 

which they espoused our cause, and the assurance given of 

ir continued interest and active efforts in its behalf.' 1 

While a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Seamen's 

Fund and Retreat are favorable to the petition, and have 

pledged themselves to sustain it, we are pained to know that 
other members of that body are exceedingly hostile to the 

1 are leaving no means untried to defeat the ob- 

i hi this measure, through their influence, he defeat- 
ed, and we he still compelled to witness tin; desolation and 

anguish of these bereaved and helpless ones, and see them 

6ne after another with feeble, tottering footsteps wending 
their way to the Almshouse, that last resort of the neglected, 

there t<» die — while IM can appeal to Heaven and say il we 
done what we COUld, 91 we will express the hupe that 

the partners and children of th«»se who have prevented a 

result which would he "like lite from the dead " t;> many a 
broken-hearted widow, may never know the want of BUch a 
refuge in the helplessness of aj 

Mus. C. Tract, & 

" It pleased God, in IIi> providence,' 1 (thus writes one, long 

the 8d Report was published,) to bring ('apt. T. B, 

d superintendent of the Seamen's Retreat) to 

the residence of one of our managers*— Mrs. R. II. Lambert 

— in ( I - 16, at the time some of the aged pensioners 

of the Mariners' Family Industrial Society, were leaving 

K>r with their share of the weekly provision Bet aside 

. Mr.-. Lambert from berown table. The sight 

. and entering into conversation with Some of 

□ deepened the conviction of their worth, 

and after they left lie exclaimed, kk Could J hut see those old 

fortably housed on some portion of the grounds of 

d provided U>r bj their ample fund, I would 

Kii y W< Id, k Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant 

Farther inquiry showed the extent of 

atrolled by said Board, and the impression 

• feasibility d looking to such result was 



17 

soon the subject of thought and action on the part of Mrs. 
Lambert. Repairing to Mayor Mickle, (Ex-ofiicio member 
of the Board of S. F. and Retreat,) the course to be pursued 
was decided upon and a petition drawn up by Lawyer 
McKene immediately, for presentation to the Board of Trus- 
tees of S. F. and R., which petition, on being presented for 
adoption and signature to the Board of Managers of the 
Mariners' Family Industrial Society, received their sanction 
and signature, and Mrs. R. H. Lambert was appointed their 
committee to present it to said Board, and second its presen- 
tation with remarks furnished by her own observation and 
experience. At the same time Mrs. A. C. Loveland was re- 
quested to prepare a suitable petition for shipmasters and 
sailors to sign, asking such legislative action as to the sur- 
plus moneys of Board of S. F. and Retreat as would secure 
to the poor of their class the help needed, and also a petition 
to the Legislature of the Mariners' Family Industrial Society 
together with a memorial and a circular letter to the mem- 
bers of the Senate and Assembly, and the state officers, 
which documents were prepared, submitted and approved 
at the meeting of the M. F. I. Society in December. A 
committee of two — Mrs. Lambert and Loveland — were re- 
quested to proceed to Albany, and follow out the suggestion 
of Senator Folsom, " that the ladies should attend to their 
own business before the Legislature." When the time came 
for the committee to make the journey, the funds of the M. 
F. I. Society were so low that but one could proceed, con- 
sequently Mrs. Lambert had to face the perils of her new 
position alone. 

Early in February, the petition signed by shipmasters and 
sailors, numbering some six hundred, was presented by Hon. 
Daniel Sickles in the Assembly, and shortly thereafter the 
petition and memorial of the Mariners' Family Industrial So- 
ciety was presented by the same gentleman. The reading of 
the memorial was called for and listened to with seeming 
interest, and in a few days a bill was reported by Hon. Mr. 
Crosby, favorable to the petitioners. In due course, the 
bill passed the Assembly almost unanimously. 

Previous to this, however, tli rough the influence of some 
of the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat a bill had 
been introduced in the Senate " preventing any appropria- 
tion of the funds to other than sick and invalid seamen and 
reducing the tax," hoping thus to defeat the action of the 
Assembly. This bill might have passed the Senate but at a 



is 

t from our committee, a member moved "thai it be 
id ii" farther action was ever had in the 
matt 

\-;'\ Mrs, Charles W. Hawkins— -the first direct 
of the M. 1". I. Society — having been requested to act with 
Lambert in the business before tin* Legislature, as our 
'"' . found tlu and their project confronted as 

is tins l.ill reached the Senate with opposition of all 
and from all quarters. Letters^ remonstrances, from 
\ lamber qf Commerce, and the jfew York Common 
Uions emanating from so-called 8eamen 9 s 
. delegations both m<d< and female, &c, 
gave the friends 01 cur cause enough to do in combat- 
3 ami explaining the objeel sought by the M. F. 
The most alert of our city friends at this juncture 
. Jeremiah and NathanielBriggs and Capt. W. C. 
•n, who by their presence at the capital with <>nr com- 
mittee, and in private circles strengthened their hands. 
On the 27th of April, - Bon. Orville Clark, of Sandy Hill," 
Chairman of the committee to whom our bill was referred, 
reported the hill favorably, with amendments. This being 
near the close of the session, and Mr. ('lark being called 
. no further action was had in reference to the hill at 
that T 

H Ax.ntat. REPORT <>f the Mariners Family Industrial 

With feelings of no common interest the Board of Mana- 
►fthe M. h. L Society review the past year, and present 

to their friends and the public their fourth Annual Report. 

that the preaenceof Him, who emphatically Btyles 

• i of the widow and the fatherless, has been 

with them even as in former y< tiding, directing and 

upholding them by His Spirit, Word and Providence. 

been pat forth in hope, which thougjh 

erred, almost to heart-sickness, has yet proved 

anchor to the .-<>ul " amid the heaving an doubt, 

and anxiety, by which their trembling bark has been 

faith in God and th of their cause, 

. to pursue their u«»rk until all in whom 

shall be enabled t<> support 

the labor of their hand-, while God gives 

sheltered and sustained when 

n of this r< 



19 

Feeling as we do that well remunerated employment is the 
only safe way of aiding the poor, and that a continued sys- 
tem of alms-giving, not only destroys self-dependence and 
self-respect, but inevitably tends to pauperism, our first 
object as a Society is to have a Clothing Store established 
on such a basis as to furnish work at fair prices to all the 
female members of seamen's families who may apply for it. 
By this method of relief, we are enabled to discriminate 
between those who truly deserve assistance, and those who 
prefer to eat the bread of idleness ; and while we encourage, 
sustain and elevate the former, we are also secure from be- 
stowing the benefactions we receive upon the latter. In 
carrying out this principle, we have, during the past year, 
furnished employment to 131 women, who have made 9150 
garments ; and have paid in wages the sum of $2225.48. 
We are ourselves astonished at the amount thus paid, when 
we consider the paucity of our means. Our friends have 
enabled us to increase our stock of goods to the value of 
$1414.46. 

As in former years, work to a considerable amount has 
been furnished from the Sailors' Snug Harbor, and we are 
under renewed obligations to A. De Peyster, Esq., the Gov- 
ernor of that Institution, for his kindness in securing us this 
work, and for the encouragement to expect still larger orders 
during the coming year. To Mr. Reynolds, manufacturer 
of oiled clothing, we are indebted for a continued supply of 
work for our aged women ; also for orders from many 
private individuals, who appreciate our efforts to furnish the 
poor with employment. 

Those who perused our last report, will anticipate that 
much of our energies as a Board, during the year, have been 
expended in the effort therein mentioned as being made by 
Seamen and their friends, in connection with this Society, 
to secure by Legislative action a Ho?ne for aged and infirm 
female relatives of Seamen. Meanwhile, the action taken 
by the Board of Trustees of S. F. and K, necessitated an en- 
tire change of plan on the part of the M. F. I. Society, and 
a compilation by their Legislative Committee, (Mrs. C. W. 
Hawkins and Mrs. R. H. Lambert,) of a succinct history of 
the " Mariners' Fund," from original documents on file at 
the Capital, Comptroller's Office, and City Hall, New York, 



resulted in the passage of the following Act, 
1847, amendatory of the law of L88I and the rabjoin- 

leh and 

' April SS, L881. n 

§ l. Aj soon after t as may be convenient, 

tall be provided by the :i's Fund and Re- 

f the City of Now York, on the grounds now owned by Bald 
tion, a suitable building or buildings which shall be exclusively 
riated to and for the Dae of the following persons, via.: 1 1 

. or infirm mothera, wives, sisters, daughters or widows of 
q ; hut no person shall be received into the Retreat unless satis- 
proof be furnished to the Trustees, thai the husband, brother, 
son <>r father of the applicant, as the ease may be, hath, previous to the 
: making suoh application to be admitted, paid the tax imposed 
amen arriving at the port of Now York, tor the term of 

The sum of Ton Thousand Dollars is hereby appropriated out of 

s ■> mneh of the surplus of the moneys paid to the credit of the Mariners' 

Fund as was excepted from the operation of the Act entitled " An Act 

. isels arriving at the Oity of New York," by 

9i mini's Fund and Retreat, to defray the expenses 
which may !<*• incurred l>y the Trustees aforesaid, in carrying out the 
_' provisions of this act; and the said Trustees are hereby an- 
il and directed to provide annually for the support and care of 
•SOUS mentioned in this Act, out of any funds which shall accrue 
in their hand-, levied and collected by law upon masters, mate-, mariners 
imen arriving at the City and port Of New York, over and above 
Ured to meet the current charges for the support of 

§ 3. - shall have power to appoint BUoh additional 

required in the said Retreat for females, and to 

nl of -alary or other compensation which shall be allowed 

ich rules and regulations for the government of 
gaid . '.iey may from time bo time (hem necessary. 

rd of Managers of the Mariners 1 Family Tndus- 
ofthe Port of New York may recommend to the said Trut- 
m to be employed as Matrons, tfur istante 

. l provided, also, thai the said Society ma 

-ball be prescribed by the Trueteee 
d from said fund 

approval ofthe said Tru I 

'I annually, on the first If oiiday of .Tanu- 

• -oiler of :!, and minute speoifi- 

purposes to which the moneys appropriated and d. 

this Aot, hat e hem applied, and of I 

; also, they shall State the number of p< 

i laid Retreat for Females ; the 

maining in said Retreat, und 
the numb- 



21 

§ 5. After the passage of this Act the said Trustees of the Seamen's 
Fund and Retreat, and the said Fund and Retreat shall be discharged 
from the payment to the Commissioners of Health of the City of New 
York, or to the fund collected from passengers, all sums of money here- 
tofore loaned by the said Commissioners of Health, out of the fund col- 
lected from passengers to the said Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and 
Retreat, by virtue of the Act entitled " An Act to enable the Trustees 
of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat to borrow money from the Passenger 
Fund," passed April 6th, 1837. 

§ 6. All laws and parts of laws, now in force, inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed. 

§ 7. This Act shall take effect immediately. 

To enable the Trustees to give immediate aid, the Act 
was amended December 14th, as follows : 

§ 1. The Commissioners of Health of the City of New York are 
hereby directed to pay into the Treasury of this State the sum of ten 
thousand dollars, from the sum paid by the Trustees of the Seamen's 
Fund and Retreat to the said Commissioners, and when so paid into the 
Treasury the same shall be paid out, on the warrant of the Comptroller, 
to the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat, to be applied by them 
in pursuance of the provisions of the first and second sections of the Act 
entitled " An Act to amend an Act entitled an Act to provide for Sick 
and Disabled Seamen, passed April 22, 1831." Passed Nov. 16, 18.47. 

§ 2. The Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat are authorized 
to pay out of any surplus moneys in their hands such sums as they shall 
think proper for the support and relief of 'the necessitous, destitute, sick 
or infirm mothers, wives, sisters, daughters or widows of Seamen, who 
have contributed to the funds of said Retreat, as provided in the Act 
hereby amended, at such times and places as shall by them be deemed 
best calculated to promote the objects of this section of this Act. 

By reference to Sec. 5 of the Bill passed Nov. 16, it will 
be seen that the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat 
were indebted to the State for moneys borrowed from the 
Mariners' or Passenger Fund, which debt, amounting to 
$±5,000, had been but partially liquidated. By the same 
Section of the Act, the balance still due the State, being 
nearly $29,000, was canceled. The amount previously paid 
by the Trustees, was $16,16613, of which sum, $10,000 was 
replaced in their hands, to be appropriated to building the 
Home. (See Sec. 2.) 

In thus canceling the debt due from the Trustees of the 
Seamen's Fund, and Retreat, no injustice was done the 
State, as we will presently show. 

As the history of the " Mariners' Fund " has not been 
generally understood, even by those who pay the tax, and 
some discussion having arisen in reference to it, it will not 
be deemed irrelevant if we here give some account of its 
origin, and the manner in which it has been appropriated. 
2 



HISTOR1 OF THE MAKINERS 1 l "I \!>. 

L754, the establishment of a Hospital for 
ntine purposes, having become • for the 

rvation of the health <»t' the city, a tax was then im« 
. by the city authorities) a> part of the police regula* 
. upon sailors and pa- arriving at this Port : and 

among the earliest subjects of legislation by this State in 
1784, was the establishing and regulation of said Quaran- 
tine. From 1784 to L831, the BLospital tax continued to be 
collected equally from seamen and passengers, and paid into 
a joint fund, called the " Mariners 1 Fund/' and was applied 
to the building and Bupport of that immense establishment, 
known as the Marine Hospital, on Staten Island. But a 
surplus continually accruing, various laws and regulations 
1 from time to time, in reference to its disposal. 
_r other appropriations, in ten $0,000 was 

granted for the support of the Bouse of Refuge, and for 
some time, from si<»nn to J5000, was annually given to the 
I The injustice of appropriating these 

funds from their legitimate object, having attracted the 
ion of those interested — in L830, at a meeting of Ship 
1 Mariners, a committee was appointed to invee- 
the Bubject, and petition the Legislature to cause the 
ted from .-'aincn and passengers, to be paid into 
ite funds, and applied to the support of separate 
itals. This measure seemed the more necessary, as the 
intine Hospital was closed from Nov. to May, and a 
manifest injustice was done the sailor, who, although he 

a heavy hospital tax of $1 a voyage, was, in cs 
sickness during the intervening months, obliged to be 

i OUSe, as B pauper. 

placed before the Legia ature, 

documents, which are now on file with other Btate paper.-, 

showing, by a careful investigation made of the Custom 

ords, and other books relating to Quarantine ae- 

t, after deducting all expenses incurred for board, 

■ d physici ry Bailor up to that 

time, ■ Euained in fai amen, the sum of 

x was accordingly passed, in L831, creating b new 
of funds collected from 
•d apply the tclusive benefit 

durin inquishmg ter all clau 



23 

the privileges of the Marine Hospital. This Fund has been, 
and still is designated, the " Seamen's Fund and Retreat." 
The tax on passengers continued to be paid into the Mari- 
ners' Fund, which, since 1831, has often been called 
" Passenger Fund," thus frequently occasioning misunder- 
standing in reference to it. 

In 1836 and 7, the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and 
Retreat, having commenced the erection of an extensive 
Hospital, obtained from the State a loan of $45,000, from 
the Mariners' Fund ; and as this was but a small part of the 
$341,000 left in that Fund by the sailor, it was not expected 
that its repayment would ever be called for by the State. 
(See General Clark's report on this subject, in Senate 
Documents, No. 95, in 1847.) 

In 1S45, the Trustees reported property, real and person- 
al, belonging to the Fund and Retreat, as valued at 
$128,000, also, certain surplus moneys, invested in State 
Stocks and in Bank. 

On the first of January, 1847, the surplus funds amounted 
to about $25,000. At this time, many intelligent Mariners, 
thinking it desirable that this money, as it was not needed 
for the sailor, should be appropriated to what most nearly 
concerned him, viz. : his destitute family, whom, by the 
laws of Heaven and society, he is bound to remember, to 
aid and support — petitions were prepared, and the effort 
mentioned in our last Report was commenced. 

A Bill was favorably reported, and passed the House, but 
was delayed in the Senate, in consequence of the opposition 
of some of the Trustees of the Fund and Retreat, for the 
alleged reason, among others, that they owed the State 
$45,000. During the delay, the Commissioners of Health, 
by whom the Mariners' or Passenger Fund was then con- 
trolled, actually called on the Trustees for the payment of 
the same, and a resolution having passed the Board to liquid- 
ate the debt, State Stocks belonging to the Fund and Re- 
treat were sold, and the receipts, amounting to $16,166.13, 
paid the Commissioners. 

On the 5th of May, an Act was passed, creatingthe "Com- 
missioners of Emigration," and placing the Mariners' Fund 
under their control ; but so convinced were the Legislators 
that in equity and right the sum paid by the Trustees be- 
longed to the Sailor, it was excepted in that law. 

The change of the position of these moneys requiring that 
the Bill in relation to Seamen's families, then pending 



•J I 

mid be materially amended, it will be 
. that the Bum granted for the 

t!ii- $1(>,1(>(>.13, of Seamens Funds. We 

ce, at three different times, it has 

' 7 in the passage of bills, and al Last ra 

other funds, together with the real estate 

Fund, were conveyed to the 

Emigration, in whom not only the fund 

but the name is now merged. 

I summing Dp the whole matter it will 1" That. 

a tax was first imposed on seamen and passengers arriving 
at this Port, while this Slate was yet a Colony, in L75£ 
That it became B State tax in L784. 

That it continued a joint fund, known as the " Mariners' 
Fund'' till L831, and was used for the support of a Quaran- 
tine Hospital. 

That, prior to 1 S31, various appropriations were made from 
this fund to the House of ReiUge, Oity Dispensaries, and 
otlu-r public institutions. 

That rii ■• L831, the tax on seamen lias been paid into a 

ate fund, which is known as the "Seamen's Fund and 

R Tha mtinue 1 to pay their tax Into 

d " Mariners' Fund," and that all the joint fund 
I prior to the above date were retained in that Fund 
rith tie' Hospital buildings, in which sailors had 
>st with passengero. 

That i:i 1831, the amount shown to have been paid by the 
Bailor, more than had been expended fur his benefit, was 
|841, 

am, hehas drawn only $45,000, being the 
nranted by tie- Legislature of L836 and 7, to complete 

tal. 
.• in April, 1847, the Commissioners <>f Health having 
ealle I payment of this loan, the Trust 

■;:d payment of $16,166.13. 

L847, the Legislatur I the remainder 

; appropriated $10,000*, out of the sum already 
:i of a /A-///' for the aged and infirm 
ten. 
Th. ' ' Fund "' except- 

ion paid by the Tr I 
tttine and Hospital build' ; 

fcion. 

! remains 



25 

unappropriated in the State Treasury to the credit of the 
" Mariners 1 Fund." 

It will be seen from the above, that by canceling the re- 
mainder of the debt due from the Trustees of the " Fund 
and Retreat," the State performed only a partial and long 
delayed act of justice to the widow and orphan of the sailor, 
as from the taxation of the sailor long since, the surplus fund 
accrued ; — and also that the Act does not contemplate the 
taxation of the present or future generations of seamen, for 
the support of the Home, but that the interest on the can- 
celed debt, may justly be appropriated for this purpose. 

Those members of our Board on whom principally de- 
volved the responsibility and the labor of prosecuting the 
effort of which the passage of the Act of Nov. 16, 1847, was 
the result, were aware of its difficulty, and anticipated that 
no ordinary degree of patience and perseverance would be 
necessary to surmount the obstacle that lay in their path. 
But, remembering the adage, "A man can do what he thinks 
he can" and knowing no reason why wcman could not do the 
same, — conscious also that their design was founded injustice 
and benevolence, and that wm. failure in a good cause, is 
better than the listless indolence, that will attempt no diffi- 
cult enterprise, however worthy, — they applied themselves 
to the work with vigor and resolution, and remained firm 
and unyielding at their post, until the object was attained. 
But the true secret of their success lay in this; that knowing 
their own impotence, and want of all worldly wisdom in the 
business in which they engaged, they trusted alone in Him 
who is the widow's mighty and prevailing Advocate. 

To those members of the Legislature, whose hearts were 
graciously inclined to listen to our petition, and to whose 
earnest and continuous devotion to our righteous cause, the 
happy result is to be attributed, we wish to tender our warm 
and grateful acknowledgments. Nor ours alone. We are 
happy to be the medium through which many a lonely wid- 
ow and destitute mother would present the humble but 
heartfelt tribute of gratitude, for the kind and faithful efforts 
thus made in their behalf, the first fruits of which they have 
already tasted, and the more permanent and effective results 
of which, they hope soon to experience. 

To Capt. C. H. Marshall, and Capt. N. Briggs, we would 
express our thankfulness, not only for pecuniary assistance, 
but for friendly counsel and words of kind encouragement. 
In hours of deep anxiety, when we were well nigh over- 



whelmed with caret incident t<» our position, these gentlemen 
• friends in nerd." 

- >ciety, and to many gentlemen whose 
we wonld gladly mention, it' our limits permitted, we 
.ml. under deep and lasting obligations lor atten- 
sympathy and energetic co-operation. 

•mmittee of the M. !■'. I. Society never 
ed any compensation for their services, and frequently 
eir expenses months in advance of any action taken 
by th< To the People's Line of Steamboats they 

requently indebted for tree passages back and forth to 
Albany. The committee desire thus publicly to acknowl- 
edge their Indebtedness to many, very many, (whose names 
could nut l>e inserted here,) for efficient help in numberless 

MB8. M. II. GBI8WQLD, 

Sec. M. K /. Society, 

The Fifth Annual Report, though quite brief, affordsevi- 

of --the many fears, anxieties and disappointments 

through which we I d, and tin- obstacles we have 

"One hundred and eighty- Seven individuals 

have shared in the work given out L3,377 garments have 
made, and 10,000 grain-bags. We have paid in wages 
i of $2,781.41." ' "TheTrustees of the Beamen's Fund 
i\ having refused to he governed by the firsl Bection 
of th.- A<-t, complied with certain provisions thereof, and 
in order to assure themselves of its proper application, deci- 
ded to employ a member of our Board (Mrs. It. II. Lambert) 
nt. and placed in her hands the Bum of si. !<<»<», 
which has been disbursed, since our last Report, among 
ninety-six families; each family having been visited previous 
and accepted by a committee ap- 
from the Board of Trustees of the 
Fund and Retreat. In these visits there has been 

'Mount of want, destitution and wretchedness which 

crintion. il has made om thousand an 

I bose made by other members 
of tni d pensioners have 

for an Art of incorpor- 
illy, and greatly encouraged dj. 
ibjoin the 

Mi: . .1. I. PeBBY, £ 



27 

AN ACT to incorporate the Mariners' 1 Family Industrial Society , of the 
Port of New York. Passed April 9, 1849. 

The people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- 
bly, do enact asfolloics: 

Section 1. Mary A. Hawkins, Almira 0. Loveland, Jane F. Adams, 
Margaret E. Perry, Hannah Williams, Belphame Bovee, Elizabeth H. 
Chase, Rebecca H. Lambert, Ann E. Turner, Elizabeth Skatts, Ann M. 
Egbert, Maria C. Tracy, Rebecca Bird, Melinda G. Ludlam, Eliza Child, 
Eliza Cowdrey, Mary C. Moreland, Marcia A. Welch, and all such per- 
sons as now are members of the Association called, u The Mariners' 
Family Industrial Society " and all who shall hereafter become members 
of the corporation hereby created, shall be and they are hereby consti- 
tuted a body corporate by the name of " The Mariners' Family 
Industrial Society of the Port of New York," whose object and 
business shall be to aid the destitute families of seamen by providing 
work at a fair remuneration for the female members of said families, 
and to relieve the necessities of such as are incapable of labor, including 
their widows and orphans. 

§ 2. There shall be a Board of Female Managers of the said Society, 
who shall conduct the business of the Society in the manner prescribed 
by the Constitution and By-Laws of the aforesaid Association, as the 
same now exist or as the same shall be adopted or altered by the corpo- 
rate body hereby constituted, and such Managers shall be elected annu- 
ally or otherwise as is or may be prescribed by such Constitution and 
By-Laws. 

§ 3. Said corporation shall have power to purchase real estate suffi- 
cient for the occupancy and for conducting the business of the Society, 
also to receive by gift or devise, hold and convey real estate, and shall 
be deemed to be possessed of the rights and to be subject to the liabili- 
ties of corporations according to the provisions of title three, chapter 
eighteen, part one of the Revised Statutes so far as the same may be 
applicable ; provided however that the annual income of any real estate 
belonging to said corporation shall not exceed the sum of five thousand 
dollars. 

§ 4. The said Managers shall be jointly and severally liable for all 
funds placed in their hands during their term of office. 

§ 5. There shall be a Board of Counselors consisting of seven male 
members, whose duty it shall be to advise the Board of Managers of 
said Society from time to time in reference to its business transactions; 
— no purchase or sale, lease or mortgage of real estate shall be made or 
taken by said corporation without the approval of a majority of the 
Board, certified to in writing by the Secretary for the time being of said 
Board. 

§ 6. John C. Brigham, Nathaniel Briggs, Henry Chase, Benjamin C. 
C. Parker, William Tyack, Samuel Candler, and Charles H. Marshall 
shall compose the first Board of Counselors, and shall act until the 
next annual meeting of said association or corporate body and until 
their successors shall be elected; such Board of Counselors shall be 
elected annually, at the annual meetings of the said Society, or in such 
other manner as shall be prescribed by the association ; they shall also 
designate at the time of their election the President and Secretary of 
said Board of Counselors. 



I 



28 

7. Th j time alter or repeal thi 

-hall take effect Immediate!/. 



j 

ipared the preoeding with an original law <>n file In this 
i do certify thai the form ia a oorreol tranaoripl therefrom, 
fthe whole of said original. 

OHBBTOPHl 

ALBANT. April 30. 

: the Sixth Annual Report we quote : 
"The Dumber of orders filled by the Supervisor has exc 

/// previous year, but have all emanated tY«»m 

ilit> public institutions of our city having 

perfected arrangements by which they can supply them- 
selves. Hie work done, has, so far aswe have hern able to 

. rtain, given entire satisfaction, and we trust that, under 

the direction of our very efficient Supervisor, /■", shall con- 

i to give satisfaction to all who may favor as with their 

patr 

•• We liave furnished employment to om hundr* dand forty* 

r individuals, who have manufactured live thousand oiio 

hundred and thirty-tour garments, and have received in 

ie .-inn of one thousand eight hundred and seventeen 

dollars thirteen cents. 

"The member of our Board, appointed to visit among the 
aeficiaries of the Society, and distribute such moneys as 
the Board of Trustees oi the Seaman's Fund and Retreat 
may from time to time appropriate, under the law of 1 847, 
has made during the yearofu thousand thre< hundred and 
Us } has aided eighty-seven families, and dis- 
tributed two thousand one hundred and thirty-two dollars and 
ighf cents, besides various articles of bedding and 
uring apparel. 

•• I luring the prevalence of cholera and while it raged most 
nady to minister to the wants of the 
. and dying, and while others fled in terror, Bhe remained 
firm at her post, until she was herself prostrated by dia 

r constant attendance upon and anxiety for 

-ration wbb obtained last year, the bene- 
fits of which have been already felt In Sept. the Board 
tified that s£ia€ Kli/.al.eth I)emilt had bequeathed to 
the M. 1 ■'. I. Society the Bum of $8000. In January we re- 
call I > < 1 1 1 i It, a dster Of the 



29 

lady named above, had deceased, leaving us a similar 
bequest ! He who heareth the cry of the needy, had put it 
into the heart of one eminent among our mercantile com- 
munity, Mr. George T. Trimble, to mention among his 
friends our cause and our discouragements from want of 
capital, etc., and these aged ladies, knowing his judgment 
could be relied upon, decided to aid us in this manner. 
Gratefully do we record our indebtedness to Mr. G. T. Trim- 
ble for advice, donations and sympathy in many a trying 
hour of our Society's history. 

In reply to the oft-repeated inquiries of our friends, in re- 
gard to the erection of the Home, we can only answer, that 
it is not yet commenced, and we have not been able to 
obtain any official statement from the Board of Trustees 
relative to their plans in regard to it, From Madam Rumor 
we have learned that there is some under-current at work, 
endeavoring to prevent the benevolent designs of the Legis- 
lature from being carried into effect, and as over tw6 years 
have elapsed since the passage of the law, and no definite 
action taken upon it, notwithstanding our numerous written 
petitions to the Board, as such, entreating them to take 
immediate action on the subject, in consideration of the 
necessities of those aged women whom it was designed to 
benefit, and as we have not spared personal solicitations, by 
committees and otherwise, from our Board, we fear that the 
present Board of Trustees will not find it " convenient " to 
erect the " Home." Be this as it may, God sparing us, we 
have resolved to give ourselves no rest till this thing is 
accomplished. We may not trust ourselves to speak further 
upon this subject at present, only to add, that we cherish no 
feelings of animosity or ill-will toward any individual or 
association, but our hearts bleed for the homeless, and we 
will not cease our efforts in their behalf until we see justice 
done them. Mrs. J. I. Perry, Sec. M. F. I. Society. 

The Seventh Annual Report reprints the " History of the 
Mariners' Fund" and the amended Acts of the Legislature, 
&c, and in regard to the industrial operations of the Society, 
states : " While we have been so much engaged in making 
provision for the future comfort of the old and helpless, the 
business of the store has been conducted as usual. 3800 
garments have been made, 103 women employed, and wages 
to the amount of $2,154.52 have been paid. 

The Committee appointed by the Board of Trustees to visit 



30 

1 took, has distributed among this class 

,404.15, besides a large amount of clothing, 

bedding; and has made 1 li '- » 1 visits. Since the 

passage ,,f the Art of 1M7, appropriating funds for the 
on of an Asylum, L8 of those for •'whose benefit this 
appropriation was made, have died. From their wretched 
•ii the Almshouses <d* this city and of Brooklyn, 
they have passed, as we trust, to that better land whose in- 
habitants shall never say, " I am rick," and where they shall 
hunger and thirst no more. 

Our especial thanks are again due to Mr. George T. Trim- 
ble, for me kindly interest manifested by him in securing 
uiy payment of the Liberal bequests of the Hisses Eliza- 
beth and Sarah Demilt, of which mention was made in our 
ort 
They also thankfully refer to the following Act: 

for Sick and Dit* 
dbU pamei April 22, 1881. 

Passed Aran ll, 1849 — Thbes-fhths bdng pbe&knt. 

W York, represented in Senate and A-nn- 
Wy, do enact as follows: — 

Of six thousand one hlUld^ed and si\ty-six dollars and 

thirteen cents now remaining in* the State Treasury to the credit of the 

Pond, shall be paid ont on the warrant of the Comptroller to 

- .urn's Fund and Retreat to be applied in pnrsn- 
atitled " An Act to provide f< 

un shall be invested l»y the said Trustees in the Stock 
■'. fork, and the interest thereon, if any surplus re- 
main in their hand-, after paying t! ofthe said Retreat, shall 

be applied to the relief of th< ten and their 

Orphan children, unless other\s i>e speiially re'juired for the wants of 

Board of Trnatoei shall paw proper laws and ardi- 

n- manner of distributing such surplus. 
hall take effect Immediat 

.,,, ,1'nit.i ij after the of the 

Family Asylum " Would have 

ted, hut the Board of Tj the "Seamen's 

having it in charge, foi which 

v. continued to defer 

• withstanding our numerous petir 

..\ and oth 



31 

Yet as the convenient time seemed not to have arrived 
after three full years had elapsed, it was decided, after our 
First Directress, Mrs. C. W. Hawkins, had called personally 
on each of the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Ketreat, 
to hold a meeting for prayer. Earnest and fervent were our 
supplications that God would move the Trustees to accede 
to our oft-repeated plea, or remove from their hands the 
moneys consecrated by solemn act to the erection of the 
building ! The action resolved on after said meeting, was a 
decision to again appeal to the Legislature, and endeavor to 
have the fund for building, with the addition of the $6,166, 
13, placed in the hands of another Board of Trustees. The 
results will be seen in the following Act, passed March 17, 
1851. 

AN ACT 
To amend the Act entitled " An Act to provide for Sick and Disabled 

Seamen," passed April 22, 1831, also to amend the several Acts passed 

November 16, 1847 and April 11, 1849, amendatory of the said Act. 

Passed March 17, 1851. 

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- 
bly, do enact as follows: 

Section 1. The Mayor of the city of New York, The President of 
the Chamber of Commerce of the city of New York, the President of 
the Marine Society of the Port of New York, together with the Board 
of Counselors of the Mariners' Family Industrial Society of the city and 
county of New York, and their successors, are hereby constituted a 
board of trustees for the purposes named in the acts entitled, "An act 
to provide for sick and disabled Seamen," passed April 22, 1831, and in 
the act entitled, "An act to amend an act entitled, 'An act to provide 
for sick and disabled Seamen,' " passed April 22, 1831, passed November 
16, 1847, and in the act entitled, " An act to amend an act, entitled, an act 
to amend the act entitled, an act to provide for sick and disabled Sea- 
men," passed April 22, 1831, passed Nov. 16, 1847, passed Dec, 14, 
1847, also in the act entitled, An act to amend an act entitled, "An act 
to provide for sick and disabled Seamen," passed April 22, 1831, passed 
April 11, 1849. 

§ 2. The Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat of the city of 
New York, shall pay over to the Trustees above named on demand, the 
sum of sixteen thousand one hundred and sixty-six dollars and thirty- 
one cents, paid to them by the Comptroller of the State of New York 
agreeable to acts passed December 14, 1847, entitled, An act to amend 
an act entitled an act to amend an act entitled, "an act to provide for 
sick and disabled Seamen," passed April 22, 1831, — passed Nov. 16, 
1847, and April 11, 1849, entitled, " An act to amend an act entitled, 
an act to provide for sick and disabled Seamen," passed April 22, 1831, 
together with the interest thereon which shall have accrued and which 
is unexpended. 

§ 3. The Board of Trustees named in the first section of this act, 
shall from the funds so received from the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund 



3*2 
M neiy bo 060688117 to tno mnn0( li- 

liUble building and suitable farnitnre tor the tame, 
either on the groondi Darned In theaol of Not. 16. 1847, entitled, M An 

imend en tot to provide (<>v siok and disabled Seamen, " i 

April 22, 1881. or any other raitable grounds u may be deemea moat 

dd board of trustees hereby oreated, for an aaylnm 

imed in the aol laal aforesaid, and the Burplos, if any, 

applied by the said Trnsteee oreated by this act, for the relief of 

vrhose relief is oontemplated by the aforeeaid aot 

All laws and partfl of lawi DOW in force, inconsistent with tho 

-ions of this lot, are hereby repeal 

ihaQ take efleot immediately. 

\ 
•ify that I hare oompared the foregoing with an original law on 

file in this (dlico, and that the Same isa OOrreOl transcript therefrom and 

of the whole of said original 

Given onder my hand and seal of offioe, at the City of Albany. 

this second day of April, one thousand eight hundred and 

fifty-one, 

CHRISTOPHER MOR< 

notary of State, 

This retolt was not, however, attained without strenuous 
efforti on the part of our friends, who were forced to en- 
counter a strong tide of opposition ; but, conscious that the 
cause they advocated was ajust one, and feelingly alive to 
'tics and Bufferings of the class of persons who 
were to partake of the benefits which the passage of this bill 

would secure, they moved ,-tcadilv forward in the prosecution 
of their work, until they had the satisfaction of witnessing 
the triumph of justice. 

We trust tins Society is soon to take a prominent stand 
among the chartered benevolent associations of our land, and 
that it is destined to become the favorite channel through 
which the charities of those who represent the great niari- 
t in i • of this city shall flow. 

In c only add for ourselves, that we have; cnlist- 

. and, God helping us, we will continue our labors, 

until Hi calls us to share "in the 
dneth." 

Jn behalf of the Board, 

tfss. .1. I. Psbbt. Sec. 

• ATM \ntp.t. Hm 

!: 

M W.M. J>. O.. 

-TBB. 



33 

Eighth Annual Report. 

Ln t taking a retrospective view of the way through which 
we have been led during the year now ended, we are com- 
pelled to pause ere we cross the bound which chronicles the 
completion of another period in the history of our Society, 
to contemplate an event which we have never before had 
occasion to record. For the first time since our organization, 
death has been among us, and taken from our Board 
two of its members : — Miss Elizabeth Skaats, and Mrs. Han- 
nah Williams, relict of the late Captain John Williams, who 
was lost, as is well known, in the ill-fated Albion. 

Both of these ladies were active and efficient members of 
the Female Bethel Association, from which our present 
organization emanated, and both have been faithful, labor- 
ious, untiring members of our Board of Managers, from the 
time of our first feeble effort as an industrial association. 
Neither of them ever shrank from any duty their office 
imposed, however undesirable the scenes they were called to 
frequent, or however painful to witness the distress they 
were called to alleviate. Both labored, we have every 
reason to believe, with a sincere and earnest purpose to 
benefit their suffering, poverty-stricken fellow-creatures, and 
by thus exhibiting the spirit and the fruits of the gospel of 
Christ, sought to glorify their Father in heaven. 

Mrs. Williams, with time, means and influence at com- 
mand, consecrated them to the melioration of the condition 
of the class for which her relations in life, as well as the 
promptings of her benevolent heart, strongly enlisted her 
sympathies. For years, since the infirmities of age had 
been gathering about her, and her head has been whitened 
by the frosts of many winters, she has been at her post, ex- 
citing and encouraging, by her own energetic and hopeful 
spirit, the labors and exertions of others. During the last 
few months of her life, as if conscious that what she would 
do for our cause must be done quickly, she was incessant in 
her efforts for the prosperity of this Society ; and the amount 
of benefactions obtained through her instrumentality — which 
we have placed conspiciously in our list of donations — testi- 
fies to the spirit by which she was actuated, and to the zeal 
which prompted her efforts, till suddenly called to give 
account of her stewardship. She rests from her labors and 
her works do follow her. 

Miss Skaats, though placed by Providence in a position 



requiring her to labor with her <>wn hands, yet found time 
and embraced opportunities to be greatly useful in our 
and perseverance in obtaining funds for 
our cause have often furnished reproof to those of us who, in 
eligible circumstances, have been less active and effi- 
cient CO-WOrkerS. "She hath done what she could/' and we 

doubt not is dow reaping the reward and partaking the joy 

approved and faithful servant. May we catch the 

mantle falling from these beloved Bisters, and with a tinner 

purpose and more devoted consecration, seek the good of 

for whom they toiled; renlembering that to us also the 

of our departure may be near, and that what wedo 

must be done with our might. 

In reviewing the busii or industrial department 

during the past year, and in observing the developments of 
our system of relief to the indigent, we have abundant rea- 
son to "thank God and take courage." The report of the 

irer and store-committee BhoWB a gratifying incri 
patronage, in sales, receipt of donations, and in ordi i 
the manufacture of furnished materials. We have been able 
to furnish employment, more or less continually, to 124 wo- 
who have made !' 125 articles : and to whom, in connec- 
tion with our supervisor, cutter and runner, we have paid in 
-. the sum of $2,384 82. To this item we would Solicit 
I attention, and would ask, in what way the amount of 
capital invested in our business, could he made t<» produce a 
er pr.»tit by winch to furnish bread to the hungry, and 
clothing and shelter to the destitute, leaving oul oftheac- 
moral benefits resulting t<> those employed from 
earning with their own hands the means of providing for the 
ife. 
connection, we would respectfully ask gentlemen, 
about furnishing hotels, ships, and steamboats, 
whether their patronage extended to the Mariners' Family 
Industrial Society, might not be made as conducive to their 

own interests, and afford t<> many a widow and dependent 

orphan Jtence, thus securing 

cation of doing good, while guaranteed as surely 
• under the present Bystem. 

• Harbor, we have, a.- here!.. 
ed liberal orders, for which) in the name of our work- 

>vernor, A. I >•• IVv- 

I that the garments of i lie aged or 

. bo kindly housed and provided for \>y the 



35 

generosity of Captain Kandall, should be made up by those 
connected with his own class by the tenderest ties ; and that 
the provision for life's wants, which this work supplies, 
should be secured to those of them, who are now dependent 
on the labor of their own hands or the charity of others. 

From many private sources we have received employment 
for our poor women, — employment which has not been 
grudgingly or stintedly remunerated. A blessed reward 
have such in the sweet consciousness of having conferred a 
double benefit to the poor ; that of supplying their necessities, 
and at the same time relieving them from the pressure of 
conscious obligation for charity bestowed. 

To Dr. Frank Tuthill, who has kindly permitted us to refer 
our invalid applicants gratuitously to his notice and care, we 
would tender our grateful thanks. 

In reference to our charitable department, we would ob- 
serve that much time and attention have been devoted to it 
by our Board. From the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and 
Eetreat we have received the sum of $1,387, which has been 
distributed in small sums monthly to the sick, the aged and 
infirm, and to others, whose circumstances deprived them of 
ability to earn the necessaries of life. From the treasury of 
our Society we have also expended in charity, the sum of 
$163 SO. The number of visits made by our managers to 
those seeking and requiring aid during the year is about 
1400 ; and while the toil and sacrifice of personal comfort 
involved in so many errands of mercy to those who are scat- 
tered over the length and breadth of this great city and its 
extensive sister towns, have been very great, yet the satisfac- 
tion of carrying bread to the hungry, means of shelter and 
clothing to the houseless and destitute, and joy and gladness 
to the disconsolate and despairing bosom, have richly repaid 
our toil. Several of our aged pensioners have deceased 
during the year, giving comforting evidence that they are 
now where they hunger no more, where mansions of rest are 
provided for their eternal habitation, and where all tears are 
wiped forever from their eyes. 

Mrs. Erskine, the widow of Captain Erskine, of revolution- 
ary memory, died in Dec, aged 79. For many years her 
main dependence was upon the Society, and we are thankful 
to have been the channel through which some few allevia- 
tions reached and cheered her heart. 

Her husband was commissioned by Gen. Washington to 
cruise between Cape Cod and Cape Sable ; received the rank 



36 

of lieutenant, and highly distinguished himself in I7 s i by 

- of Ajinapolia Royal, whereby one 

hundred and fifty British seamen were made prisoners, and 

any Americans released. Ee Likewise assisted in 
troying the tea in Boston harbor and took pari in construct- 
ing the works on Banker's Hill. Although reverses were 
experienced before his death, yel none could have foretold 
that his wid<»\v w<»uld have been allowed to drain the cup of 
poverty so to its dregs, as Bhe has done. Ere Bhe became 
the pensioners of this Society, want and Borrow were 
twin dwellers at her hearth; since then, want has been re- 
pelled, but sorrow ever remained her guest. Disappointed 
in her hopes of obtaining a pension from the government, 

institution broken by Bickness and old age, .-he clung 
members of our Society, watched for their periodical 

. and prayed for the erection of the Mariners' Family 

lum with all the fervor of middle life. 

with sorrow which we cannot dissemble that we arc 
more compelled to say that the Asylum for this cli 
our poor, tor which we have so Long Labored, and plead with 

both (»<>d and man, and which we confidently anticipated 
Would have arisen and been occupied by them, has vet to 
Bee the corner-stone of its foundation laid. While we would 
Bimply say,* we have the utmost confidence in the benevo- 

. integrity and prudence of the trustees, and believe 
them to have been actuated by conscientious motives in thus 

ring the work which was given them to do, we here 

ttj to the public a statement from their own Board of 

a which have influenced them in delaying the 
rtilding, which was furnished in reply to the 
following i 

.; 20, 1852. 

ting of the Board <•!' Managers of the Mariners 1 
Industrial d the 24th Instant, it was resolved, that. 

to Inform th. 
of the Mariners 1 Family Asylum, that the 
ty will take place on Tuesday, th 
-. when our Annual Report will be submitted. 

•. thai by legislative enactment, in March, 

■ i created for l immediate- 

. and that the 

as confidently anticipated 

inlty, that th«- committee request bim to 

bowing irh< • rection 



37 

may be embodied in our Report, and thus presented to the Society and 
the public." 

New York, 17th March, 1852. 
To the Officers and Managers of the Mariners' 1 Family Industrial Society 

of the Port of New York. 
Respected Ladies : 

At a meeting of the Trustees of the Mariners 1 Family Asylum, held on 
the loth instant, your communication of 26th February, with a copy of 
the Resolution passed by your Board, were submitted, and after due con- 
sideration they were unanimously referred, with full powers, to the 
undersigned, the Building Committee, with instructions to conform 
thereto, who now submit this brief Statement and Report : 

That, on the 2d May, 1851, the Board of Trustees for the purposes 
named in the act passed the 17th March, 1851, organized and elected 
their President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer, and among 
other things, resolved, that the Trustees, as a Committee of the whole, 
would proceed on Friday, the 9th May, 1851, to Staten Island, to visit 
the farm owned by the people of the State of New York, and occupied 
by the Seamen's Fund and Retreat, in relation to a location for the 
building to be erected for the destitute, sick or infirm mothers, wives, 
sisters, daughters or widows of seamen. 

That, at a meeting held on the 12th May, 1851, after adopting their 
by-laws, the following Report was accepted and adopted, when Messrs. 
Graham, Suydam and Sturges, were appointed the Building Committee : 

REPORT. 

" The Committee to whom was referred the Resolution passed on the 
2d instant, to visit the grounds of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat on 
Staten Island, in relation to the site for the New Asylum to be erected, 
&c, 

RESPECTFULLY REPORT : 

That, on Friday, the 9th of May, 1851, Messrs. Suydam, Graham, 
Foster, and Briggs proceeded to the Farm of the Seamen's Fund and 
Retreat on Staten Island ; the Trustees of which Institution having been 
previously invited to meet your Committee, and the object named. On 
arrival they were joined by Judge Clawson, the Superintendent and 
Chaplain of the Retreat. The Committee were also honored with the 
company of the first and second Directresses and Secretary of the 
Mariners' Family Industrial Society of the Port of New York. 

After viewing the lands, and ou due consideration, it was unanimously 
agreed, that the ground on the southerly side of the Farm, and directly 
in the rear of the garden, would be the most desirable location, and all 
that could be wished for in many respects, as the elevation of the north- 
easterly part commanded a full view of the bay and harbor, and would 
present the new building to be erected for 'the destitute sick or infirm 
mothers, wives, sisters, daughters or widows of seamen ' prominently 
and conspicuously to the view of the warm and generous-hearted seaman, 
on his arrival as well as to all others who visit the southerly side of the, 
Island. 

" Your Committee would further report, that several of the members 
have visited the city of Brooklyn and other lands on Long Island, and 
also made inquiry for a site on the island of the city and county of New 

3 



38 

York, but fin with the ad red to 

on t!: ' .ml and Retreat 

Islsture. it would appear that 
nu-ntion that the new buildings should be erected on these 
grounds, and the Legislature, by the 8d eeotioii of the Act pasted the 

17th of J 1, h<i* made it the duty of the Tru*ttts, ' immi:i>ia i i.i.v ' 

suitable building, ^ i 

■nn herewith presented, annexed, it will be seen the 
ground required will be considerably Um than thr m . I of the 

grounds now in poea o e ei oD of the Seamen's Pond and Retreat, and 

. a part of which, a road, (or .street) in all probability will shortly 

> that the entranoe to th< ■< will he entirely 

d from the Hospitals of the sick and disabled seamen. The di»- 

tnale Asylum to the principal Hospital for Seamen will 

t the ouc-ti'jhth pari of a mils, and near half that distance to the 
old Hospital now OCCtipied for Lunatics, 6Yo., and much greater distances 

from the residences of tla- Superintendent, Resident Physician and Chap- 
lain. 

ked. that this Board of Trustees accept and approve of the 

named in the foregoing Report, and that they will 

■'(/;/ enter on their duties in procuring plans, specifications, 

estimates, Arc, preparatory to the erection of the Asylum tor 'destitute 

•ick or infirm mothers, wives, sisters, daughters or widows of seamen, 1 

and that the S tice to the Hoard of Trustees of till 

i I and and Retreat, and respectfully request their concurrence and 

cordial co-operation in carrying out the law of the Legislature, 
the 17th March, 1861, and the foregoing Report, for the immediate 
erection of this new edifice of christian charity. 

oed) "I ■ • mi i 'i Bi vdam, 1 In behalf of 

'•.loiiN H. (ij.-AjiA.M, f the Committee 

BEDEBICI C. FOSRB, J Of 

" Natuamki. Batons, J the Whole." 
1851. 

the 16th May, 1861, the Secretary reported that, he 
had enclosed to Mr. Perit, the President of the Hoard of the Seamen's 
I . port of tho Committee of the Whole, submitted, 

! (o-i the LSth Instant) also the certified 
Of 17th March, 1861. 

ihall and Buydam stated, they wert happy to report, that 

monthly Meeting of the Trustees of ' //" SeametC* Fklfld Ofld 

' ' held on the 18th instant, the following preamble and resolution 

I is. : 

♦• Wl I -islatnre of the Si ' ! SH Act on 

oonstitutingaBosrd of 1 rcertsin pur- 

poses named in said Aft, and empowering said ] I Luild- 

• grounds, for ai 

mi n, 
' I: .' this Hoard concur in the same. 

.i-ricd unanimously." 
farther — 

Britton and I 

. I mnnittee to confer, in relation to the selection of a 



39 

building on the Retreat grounds, &c, whereupon Messrs. Suydam, Mar- 
shall, Graham and Sturges were appointed on behalf of this Board, to 
confer with the above-named gentlemen." 

Committee of Conference. 

May 22, 1851. 

11 At a meeting of the Committee of Conference, held at the Seamen's 
Retreat, Staten Island, present, on the part of the Mariners' Famiy 
Asylum, Messrs. Suydam, Marshall, Graham, and Sturges, and on tho 
part of the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat, Messrs. Perit, 
Britton and Clawson. 

M Mr. Suydam was chosen President, and Mr. Sturges, Secretary. 

"On a full examination of the whole grounds by the gentlemen, — the 
Committee, on behalf of the new Building, proposed the two lots of 
ground in the rear of the garden, from the lane to the south line of tho 
Retreat property, reserving the Burial grounds and way to it in rear, it 
being the same site which was unanimously selected by the Committee 
of the Whole, on the 9th May, 1851. 

14 Mr. Clawson, on the part of the Retreat, proposed a piece across the 
extreme rear of the grounds, reserving passage to the cemetery. 

M The gentlemrn then returned to the city to await the next meeting 
of Trustees of Seamen's Retreat. 

(Signed) 44 R. STURGES, Sec." 

Meeting of the Board of Trustees, &c., June 10, 1851. 

"The Building Committee, through Mr. P. Holly, Architect, presented 
plans and printed specifications for the erection of the New Asylum, 
which, after examination, were referred to the said Committee, to ob- 
tain estimates thereon : said estimates and specifications to be reported 
to a future meeting of this board." 

The President verbally informed the Board of Trustees of the Mar- 
iners 1 Family Asylum, that at a special meeting of the Seamen's Fund 
and Retreat, held on the 27th ultimo, — 

" A question having arisen as to the right of Capt. J. H. Vanderbilt 
holding his seat as Trustee, his term having expired, and his nomination 
having been rejected by the Honorable the Senate. 

11 The following Resolution was offered by Capt. Marshall : 

11 Resolved, that in the opinion of this Board, Capt. J. II. Vanderbilt 
is not a member of this Board." 

The ayes and noes being called, the result was — 

Ayes, 2 ; — blank, 1. 

Noes, 4 : — Captains Bromley, Funk and Merry, and Mr. Clawson. 

Immediately after which — 

On motion of Mr. Clawson, seconded by Capt. Vanderbilt : 

44 It was Resolved that the preamble and resolution (unanimously) 
passed at the last meeting (13th May,) reading as follows, viz. : — 

" Whereas the Legislature of the State of New York passed an Act on 
the 17th March, 1851, constituting a Board of Trustees for certain pur- 
poses, named in said Act, and empowering said Trustees to erect a build- 
ing on the Retreat grounds, for an Asylum, &c. 

44 Resolved that this Board concur in the same, 
44 Be reconsidered." 

Ayes, 5 : — Captains Vanderbilt, Bromley, Funk and Merry, and Mr. 
Clawson. 



n 

Noes. hall. 

ting. 
lotion of Mr. Olaweon, seconded by Oapt Vanderbill 
Pream! ra declared " m i l ami roto." 

July 28, 1851. 
wd of TnuUm of the "Mariw as 1 I'\mu y 

raham, Chairman of the Building Committee, reported pro 
and pr rcral eetimatee from carpenters and mason-, for the 

i asylum on Btatao [aland, from which it would ap- 
i amounted to $15,610, b sum exoeeding the first 
( ommittee from 1,500 to 2,000 dollars. 
. Graham further stated, that the Fir>t Direetreai had been ab- 
me weeks from the city, but that he had conferred with - 
other lady offioera and managers of the Mariners' Family Indus- 
trial B of whom had tears and doubts as to the expediency 
mencing the building at present, for it was well known thai Mr. 
[aland) and Captains Bromley and Funk, Trustee! 
riolentlj opposed to the build- 
nds of the Retreat, and that the former 
had thr out an injunction on the commencement of the 
work <»n ti 

and Mr. Suydam expressed themselves in favor of 

immrtii'it' ly proceeding to the erection or the New Asylum, and on the 

ananimously ohosen, and then submitted a copy of the legal 

opinio yd they were desirous of acting In 

harmony, and with the approbation ot' all present 

AtVr due consideration and a full exonange of opinion! 

ated the following Preamble and Resolution, which was 

"Whereas the present high price of building materials. <Ve.. and the 
riod of the ther with the opinions and in accordance 

the Mariners' Family Industrial 

\ present by invitation), therefore be it 
that the erection of tn< rred for the 

•. and that a Committee he appointed by the ('hair, to obtain 
•in y General, or other counsel, in relation 
to the several Aeti passed by the Legislature," 

I .raham and I I said Committee. 

Anions of I»\mi:i and •'. P. Gtausn 

with annexed. 
Copy 

::id and II- ' 

and the act of March 17 
two following questions, namely ■ 

nild on iho 

the building 

vest«<l in : 

land m the people of I 

ind without condition. \ of the pUT] 



41 

the premises of the deed has not the effect of embarrassing or restricting 
the grantees in the mode of their enjoyment. It only restricts the Trus- 
tees named in that deed from applying the lands to other^ purposes 
without the consent of the people. The people, too, hold this land, as 
themselves, seeing to the execution of a charity, growing out of acts of 
the Legislature, and by way of public, rather than private donation; it 
is therefore for the people, acting by the Legislature, to sanction any 
use whatever of the lands. 

The legal title is in them, and they cannot be called to account even 
if there were a misapplication of the trust lands, which in a legal sense 
there is not. My answer to the first question therefore is affirmative. 

Second — The Legislature having the power to limit even the applica- 
tion of these lands, their will, expressed in the act of 1851, must be 
carried out, and the only question is, what is the fair interpretation of 
this act. 

By the third section, the new Trustees are to apply the funds to the 
immediate erection of a suitable building either on the grounds in the 
deed, or on other suitable grounds, "as shall be deemed most expedient 
by the Trustees hereby created." This gives the selection to the new 
Trustees, whether to come on the ground of the deed or not. If they 
determine to come on these grounds, they who are to determine the 
suitableness of the building, must have the determination of the site 
(which cannot be omitted in determining the suitableness of the build- 
ing,) subject to two qualifications. 

They must not locate it so as to impair or defeat the prior erections 
by the earlier Trustees, or the lands substantially necessary for its ac- 
commodation and enjoyment. The land selected must be in the range 
of a fair judgment, of what is expedient both in quality and site. In 
other words the power of selection must be fairly and honestly exercised, 
and not capriciously, with a pretence of expediency, but really for other 
purposes or views ; but within these limits, it seems to me that the 
choice of site is with the Trustees in the New Act. 

(Signed) DANIEL LORD. 

June 11, 1851. 

Copy of J. P. Girard Foster's Opinion. 

Upon an act passed 17th March, 1851, entitled, 

" An act to amend the act entitled, 'An act to provide for sick and 
disabled Seamen,' passed April 22, 1831, also to amend the several acts 
passed Novemberl6, 1847 and April 11, 1849, amendatory of thesaid act."' 

And upon the right of the Trustees thereby created. 

It is with great hesitancy that I offer my opinion on this subject, 
as the distinct and extensive expressions of the first section, and the moro 
particular enumerations in the second and third seem so contradictory* 
that it leads one to suppose that the Legislature have not fully and 
clearly expressed their intention by the act in question. 

But the intention of the Legislature must be collected from the words 
of the act, and it is on this well-settled rule of construction that this opin- 
ion is forwarded. The words of the first section are clear and unequivo- 
cal, and by it (taken in connection with the fourth) the Trustees thereby 
created are substituted for the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Re- 
treat, for all purposes, as the acts therein enumerated comprise all by 
which any receipt of moneys and disposition thereof is made, or by 



42 

U) these Trusters, (ho other acts relating to the 

not therein enumerated, merely changing 

the m.-.h- of appointment, regulation of offioers, &o., and 

i from claims of the State And although the second and 

a, may apparently destroy the force of the first, inasm ich 

prescribe to the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat the 

ince of certain things, and recite acta to be done by them, y< t 

Mature allowed these Trustees to have an 

e tor the mere purpose of paying over tin.- moneys as therein 
seated, as s Trustee in Onanoery is directed to do. alter the termination 
of the trust. 

•ruction is much more reconcilable than entirely to 

exclude that clause of th ion which constituted the Board of 

[rposes named in the act entitled " An sot to provide 

i and disabled Seamen,'- passed April 23d, 1881, which must ho 

M e admit the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat tO have 
existed after the paSBSge Of this act, sa\e for the mere purpose of paying 
over money. 

. if the Trustees Of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat existed after 

■: this act, the later clauses of Section 2 of act of llith No- 

adered nugatory, as the new Trustees could, in that 

. . e no funds accrue in t.h< if hands, levied and collected by tau upon 

. and Seamen, arriving at the city and port of 

New York. 

-I onlyjudge\of the intention of the Legislature from the act 
■id we must endeavor so to construe it i ile all parts, 

i righl in order to give effect to what they sup;- 

intention of tare, to put upon the provisions of a Btat- 

tnstruction not supported by the words, though the consequence 

should he to defeat the ohject of the a<t. 

ter certainty, recommend, that a new act 

of the Legislature be obtained, re-creating the Hoard of Trustees named 
amination, and giving them a corporate name, and 
fully ami particularly expressing their rights, powers, duties and resources, 
ipectfully Suhmit; 

ued) d. I>. GIBARD FOSTER 

v Yoi:k. January 14, 1852. 

and believe it will not be disputed by any, 

that DO I of little or no profit for 

And a- there are about BO acres in the rear of the 

irable locations for buildings, there is an abund- 

f room, not oni lent Institutions. | 

several other public buildings and chair 

the Seamen's Fund and 

Uars and Bl 'her with the int. .My to 

!." The principal sum i- at It 

amply ' held for • of the AMylum and/urnitun. 

d paid to aid 
d pension* 

• funds on hand for the purchase 

Of the Mar- 



43 

iners' Family Industrial Society, with some degree of unanimity to 
determine upon a suitable location and site for the Asylum, either on 
the island of New York, Long Island, or Staten Island, and if deemed 
expedient by the Board of Trustees of the Mariners' Family Asylum, the 
undersigned Committee in behalf of the Board of said Trustees hold 
themselves in readiness to aid you with their best advice and exertions, 
and if necessary (to some extent) in furnishing "material aid " for the 
purchase of the site, and " immediately " to commence the erection of the 
Asylum, which you are desirous of having prepared for the destitute and 
sick, as a nucleus, which will attract not only the attention and sympath- 
ies of the seafaring man, but the benevolent of our land. 

In conclusion, permit us to say, that in the foregoing statement refer- 
ence has been had to tbe minutes of the two excellent benevolent Institu- 
tions so immediately connected in interests, trusteeship, aad charities, 
and as a committee and individuals we ardently hope, that these two 
excellent Institutions may continue to live and work in harmony and 
love; provoking each other only to "good works," and that this sum- 
mary will satisfactorily explain, " wherefore the erection of the saitf 
Asylum has been deferred to the present time." 

Respectfully submitted, 

J. B. Graham, Chairman, ) Building Committee 

Russell Sturges, > of the Mariners' 

Lambert Suydam, ) Family Asylum. 

The above Report from the Board of Trustees of the Mari- 
ners' Family Asylum, showing conclusively the necessity of 
decisive action by the Board of the Mariners' Family Indus- 
trial Society, at an adjourned meeting of the Society held 
April 13, the following resolution was passed unanimously : 
" Resolved, — That this Board request the Trustees of the 
Mariners' Family Asylum to locate the Institution on the 
grounds selected by them on May 9, 1851, at Staten Island ; 
and trust that no untoward influences will now retard their 

generous efforts." 

° # * * * * * -* 

The preceding pages must carry conviction to every 
mind that patient, persevering labor, has been bestowed 
upon every department of our work, as far as the health and 
energy of the ladies composing the Board could possibly per- 
mit ; and trusting to the benevolence of the community to 
appreciate their efforts, they respectfully await their verdict. 
fiy order of the Board, 

MRS. C. TRACY, Sec. 

V Since the Report went to press, a note has been received from tho 
President of the Board of Trustees of the Mariners' Family Asylum, L. 
Suydam, Esq.. that, at a meeting held April 20th, every member being 
present, it was unanimously resolved, " To locate and build the Mariners' 
Family Asylum on the ground selected May 9, 1851, at Staten Island. 



44 

\ ' Annual Report. 

stion of Another year funis oi in possession of \ an 
d far beyond what the first few years of our ex- 
piation emboldened us to hope ; and for 
the in it has cheered as in our labor, we 

uteful to God, and to the many friends ll< has 
sted in our enterprise, [ndnstrial organizations kin- 
ored to ours, have sprung up in the city, and many more 
•i are in the receipt of fair wages for a fair day's work, 
than was formerly th The smailness of the profits 

> our tnnds from the sales at the Btore, ha\ 
curtailed our efforts; for well have we known, and partici- 
pated in the increased comfor b afforded to many a humble 
. by the remuneration of the wife, or mother's toil, ac- 
cording to our seale of price-. The past winter not having 
rely cold, our sympathies have not been so Badly 
by hearing «>t", and attending to cases of extreme desti- 
tution in OUT midst, as in former years ; yet enough misery 

has mel our eye- to affect our hearts deeply, and make us 
resolve to redouble our efforts to Becure others' co-operation, 

.other winter with its long catalogue of Btorms and 

\vn on our horizon. The latter part of the year 
has hern fraught with ruin to many a sailor's family, by the 

violent gales along our own, and the European coast, and 

the fearful epidemic also has decimated many a ship's 
ny in the Smith American and West Indian trade, 
and from many a darkened dwelling the cry of the desolate 
S up into the ears of the Lord ofSabaotll ! 

To some of th ones there arises light in the 

darkness from various quarters; but to others, our Society 

ids a ray of hope, or whispers a word of en- 

gement. Who, that peruses this Report, can deny 
privilege or aiding, either by (h>i<<iti<>ns or 

aim BO laudable, as the one that animates the 
. to do all that can he done : M To 

/• at a fair remuneration for the female members 

Who will he held guiltless in the 

if they oppress the hireling in his 
by their conduct and patronage, the 

• 
and v : tic toiling widow and burdened mother, 

the : a luxurious li\ ing. 

>r and ( "utter, have 



45 

merited and received our kind appreciation, and the fact 
that ninety women have been either fully or partially em- 
ployed in making 10,023 garments, affords us great satisfac- 
tion. 

The amount paid them for this service, as shown by the 
Treasurer's account, is $1,838 64. 

The Board feels greatly indebted to Mr. "W". B. Campbell 
for the interest manifested, and the assistance afforded by 
him in securing the exhibition of specimens of our work, at 
the Fair of the American Institute, in October last. 

He generously empowered the Supervisor to obtain the 
materials, and have the garments wrought in the best man- 
ner our work- women could accomplish, guaranteeing ample 
remuneration for their labor, and increased publicity to our 
enterprise, from the exhibition. 

For his personal exertions previous to, and during the 
Fair, we feel our thanks are but a poor return, yet coupled 
with the assurance, that to each of us, his kindness has been 
an encouragement to persevere in efforts to secure a proper 
remuneration for woman's labor ; we know they will not be 
despised. 

The Governor of the Sailor's Snug Harbor, A. De Peyster, 
Esq., has from time to time favored us with orders, and our 
workwomen, as well as ourselves, appreciate his patronage. 
He has not only our thanks, but the blessing of many whom 
we employ. 

Custom work of various kinds, executed for seafaring 
gentlemen and private families, has been remunerative and 
encouraging; and, we hope, these special orders may in- 
crease in value and frequency. 

mariners' family asylum. 

The one great event of the year to us as a Society, was the 
laying of the Corner-stone of the Mariners' Family Asylum, 
at Staten Island, on the 19th of June. 

This act that seemed to bring so near, and render so cer- 
tain, the ingathering of the aged wives, widows and mothers 
of Seamen within walls erected by the Sailor's own money, 
set apart by a solemn act of the Legislature of 1847, for this 
especial purpose, and in answer to many an importunate 
prayer, filled our hearts with emotions of the deepest grati- 
tude and liveliest joy. 

Ere this, we anticipated the pleasing task performed, of 
bringing forth our aged pensioners from their comfortless 



i the airy and cleanly home ; 
where ben< ! would watch over their int. i 

add to their comforts, and smooth their pathway down to 
lark valley and Bhadow of death; leaving to them bnt 
that spiritual preparation of the heart, thai en- 
the poor aa well as the rich to stand accepted before 
AJaa, ala>! that anticipation is as yel anrealized, al- 
though above the Corner-stone stands the stately domicile, 
complete to the smallest minutiae of the builder's art, but all 
unfurnished, bare, and uninhabited 1 And here tin- debtof 
gratitude, we a- a Society owe to the Building Committee 
and especially to the untiring exertions of J. 11. Graham, 

iikiu, finds hnt Blight satisfaction in words 

of thankfnineBS. Fet as thanks arc all we can tender, we 

(gentlemen to accept them, and may they in every 

ed duty hereafter he. enabled as satisfactorily to dii- 

. their trust We were encouraged early in the winter 

•it donations of money or furniture, towards filling the 

empty rooms of the Asylum, and fitting them tor their eager 

occupants. A Committee of ladies from our Board, began 

immediately to discharge this duty, determined that nothing 

I be wanting on our part to carry out the idea involved 

in our first application to the Legislature. This Committee 

option in general, and np to this date have 

'. have been expended. 

7<;. together with many articles of fur- 
niture promised, (but not collected) remains subject to the 

ads of the Standing Committee appointed tor that 
purpose. 

In the n: the " Seamen's fund and 

■it " have notified OUT SoCN ty, that, they will not take 

upon themselves tl hi of the " Mariners' Family 

i by the law of Xovemher 16th, 1 B I 

§ 2. "'1 1 '"liar- ppropriated on< <•( 

• the moneyi paid to tin- credit of the Mm iru•^^. , 

:n tli.' operation "t" tl,. ■ «l •• An Act 

;\iiiL r at tl.. A York." by 

■ 

rred by tl • out the. 

hereby 
to provide annually for the support and - 

d tlii- Aft, cut of any fandi which iliall aoeme 

• is, marinen 

. above 



47 

what shall be required to meet the current charges for the support of 
the Seamen's Retreat, 

§ 3. The said Trustees shall have power to appoint such additional 
attendants as may be required in the said Retreat for Females, and to fix 
the amount of salary or other compensation which shall be allowed to 
them, and to make such rules and regulations for the government of said 
Retreat as they may from time to time deem necessary. 

Provided, that the Board of Managers of the Mariners 1 Family Indus- 
trial Society of the Port of New York may recommend to the said 
Trustees suitable persons to be employed as Matrons, Nurses and 
Assistants in the said Retreat ; and provided, also, that the said Society 
may recommend, upon such conditions as shall be prescribed by the 
Trustees aforesaid, persons to be relieved from said fund or received 
into the said Retreat for Females, subject to an approval of the said 
Trustees. 

The Trustees, (created by the act of March 17th, 1851,) 
who have built the Mariners' Family Asylum, are now seek- 
ing a legal opinion as to the amended law of 1847, from the 
highest legal authority of the State. 

Our Board of Counsel, who form a part of the Board of 
Trustees for building said Asylum, (and some of whom are 
also Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat,) unanimous- 
ly desire our success ; and we tender to each of them our 
sincere thanks for their courteous attention to our interests, 
and their patient zeal in this great effort. In the meantime 
our Pensioners are cast into the deepest anxiety ; for the 
pittance doled out to them through our hands, they know, 
may at any moment be cut off, and they be compelled finally 
to enter the pauper's home, and lie down at last in a pauper's 
grave. 

The visits among the needy amount to about five hundred 
only, as many of our Board have been unable to devote as 
much time to visiting as in former years. ' • 

From the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat we 
have received the sum of §1804, which latterly w r ehave only 
distributed among those aged ones who intended entering 
the Asylum on its completion ; and we know not (at the 
date of writing this report) whether we shall ever receive 
another dollar to meet their wants, while shut out from its 
shelter. 

Of one tiling we are ,certain ; we cannot, we dare not take 
the money entrusted to us for providing work for the merit- 
orious and deeply-oppressed needlewomen, to feed the help- 
less and infirm ; when for them other sources had been 
sought and secured previous to the erection of the Mariners* 
Family Asylum. 



•nanv widowed and worse than widowed wivea and 
re looking up to us for means to eke out ■ subsist- 
ence in i way that shall not derogate from their self-r< 

ill apoD their children the curse of pauperism, or leave 

■ the nameless evijs thai gyrate in the moral 

trom of our great city; to allow as to wreck our indus- 

aterprise, because 01 the guilt incurred by those who 

shut their eyes, and steel their hearts against the sailor's 

family; and the Buffering endured by those thus estranged 

their Bympathi 

the bar of God we feel competent to meet both the 

] alluded I i> thai UOt to DS as individuals will 

cling the curse. 

■ hath done what she could," cheers us now, bee 
1 by Him } "who Bpake as never man Bpake," we trust 

it will cheer Ufl then, relative to what we have done for the 
sailor's female relatives, for twenty-two years, and what wc 

Left undone. Mas. C apt, S.Lovxland, See. M.I-\ I. S. 

* # * After the Report went to Press, tin- tudden decease of 

.1. B. GRAHAM, pWi was announced to the public, and 

ocieties and institutions called to mourn 

ith, none have reason to deplore this afflictive 

providence than the Mariners' Family Industrial So 

and the Board of Trustees of the Mariners' Family Asylum. 

otaations the loss of Ins business talents, 

tic philanthropy and faithful services are irreparable 

— may we all lay t<> heart the solemn warning, " Be ye also 

■."'•" 

th Annual Report we extract the following: 
<iid this 6 imong those women 

liar with the need.-, of the Sailor's family, and the 

lity of opening ly t<> them mon safi than the. 

alms; when Bhipwreck or Bickness in a foreign 
upon the of their manly 

guardians or loved friends, extorted the cry of despi 

hunger around their uncheered hearth- 

(what many then disregarded) the 

..'it to tin- seamstress by too many 

ady-made clothing, 

and I effect of public charities 

as ordinaril i aid ; 

oovla 
are of th.- proij 



49 

the ready-made garment, and trust to the generosity of the 
public to sustain us in the enterprise. Doubts of the feasi- 
bility of our plans were freely expressed, and gentlemen, 
grown grey in posts of honor, as almoners of public and pri- 
vate almsgiving, tendered us the benefit of their experience 
— but judging from our own hearts what to us would be the 
difference in value between a dollar honestly earned by in- 
dustrious effort, and one solicited as an alms, whether per- 
sonal or by proxy, we refused to surrender our capital — the 
hope of success ! I For awhile after the first opening of our 
store, many vague ideas were broached concerning it, but at 
length when the feelings and opinions of the worthy and 
industrious poor were ascertained, and the worthless and 
lazy discountenanced and separated from our sympathies, 
by the wholesome test of work and wages, w r e were recog- 
nized by many philanthropic persons as not altogether quix- 
otic. Yet the utter impossibility of competing with the 
" unholy spirit of trade ' ; without funds or resources, save in 
occasional fairs, donations, and the patronage of the 
conscientious (always a minority) made our business leap 
but lamely for years. 

The question as to disbanding had been pressed upon us ; 
but we waived it y and solicited a charter I This obtained, 
gave us confidence. 

During the past year we have employed one hundred 
women, have manufactured 4659 garments, and paid for 
that service (as shown in the Treasurer's and Store Commit- 
tee's Report,) the sum of $1637,41, attesting alike the value 
of our enterprise to our employees, and the untiring assidui- 
ty of our Supervisor and Cutter. 

Our orders from A. De Peyster, Esq., Governor of the 
Sailors' Snug Harbor, have been frequent, and to him we 
gratefully tender our acknowledgments. To Me. B. F. 
Buck we are greatly indebted for many evidences of appre- 
ciation of our work and assistance in various ways, and from 
the seamen boarding with him, we have secured a large 
share of patronage, and hope to retain their custom by fur- 
nishing them with garments of better make and material 
than they could purchase elsewhere for the same prices. 

To the firm of Williams & Guion, who have favored us 
so largely with orders for the making up of the bed linen, 
towelling, &c. of different ships belonging to them, we ten- 
der our warmest thanks and earnestly hope their good exam- 
ple may be followed by many who can control such orders, 



until it shall become a rale (not an exception) among ship- 
buildi rners to patronize the only Btore in the city 

re the profits i^o mainly to the employ i 

iiii; makim B8 1 i vmii.y A-YI.IM. 

»rt was published the Mariners' Family 

. but left unoccupied, and our aged 

onera were still hoping for admission. Conscious of 

our inability ai a Society to Bustain the Aaylum, we dared 

to forego the legal maintenance thereof Becured by 

the law of 1847, and aware of the danger of comproi 

silently watching the current of events, until at length 
rilj onr Board <>t* Counselors advised our assuming such 
occupancy, if the Hoard of IVustees of Seamen's Fund and 
. nined therein — and in reply to a request of the 
'' itinera 1 Family Industrial Society, asking 
for the necessary authority for opening the Asylum erected 
on the Retreat grounds for the aged, sick and destitute te- 
traen, we received the following extract 
from their minutes of April L5th, " On tnotioo resolved - 
r J'iiat as the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat re- 
gard the building as already in possession of thx Mariners* 
"'j Fndusti iy, and doubting whether theTrus- 

fthi S. I '.and It. have any control over it, they a 
in the j i i of the said building by the Mariners Family 

Industrial Society for the for which it was erected?* 

and at our hoard meeting, held April 26th, the Direc 

ceived from one of the Trustees, inform* 
the appointmenl of Qapt. 0. II. Marshall and ('apt. 

11. R ISSell, BJ a committee from the hoard of S. F. and R. to 

i Slaten bland when convenient to them, 

and -' formal possession. A ( lommittee from our 

tordingly appointed, and on the 28th of April 

\ vluni, and were 
formally inducted. Early in Mav t went v-t hive pensioners, 

itb the furniture purchased by onr Uommitb 

Asylum, wen- conveyed thither, the services 

j. nt in n (jiii.-ition, and 

as soon as matters could be arrai . on the 9th of 

tnd holy . dedication 

PC made bj friends 

iong whom we numbered the Reverend 

I warm Bympathy for this 

and aindred efforts in behalf of both seamen and their fami- 



51 

lies. Little did those who listened to his eloquence on this his 
favorite theme, imagine that in a few short weeks he would 
be summoned k ' to give an account of his stewardship. " 

From the first inception of charitable efforts for seamen's 
destitute families — up to the organization of the Mariners' 
Family Industrial Society, and thence to the dedication of 
the Mariners' Family Asylum, Mr. Chase was ever active, 
sympathizing and efficient. His decease leaves us one friend 
and Life Member the less, to aid us in our work in this sor- 
row-stricken world ; and the Seamen of this port are be- 
reaved of one whose words of warning have been to many a 
sailor a blessing botli for time and eternity. 

Of the inmates admitted— seventeen are natives of Ame- 
rica ; six of Ireland ; three of Scotland, and one of Holland. 
Their religious preferences are as various as the places of their 
nativity. Several of the inmates count fathers, husbands, 
and brothers, as participants in the war of 1812, and there 
are two aged sisters of one who lingered out many weary 
months of captivity in Dartmoor Prison. 

Six of the inmates are the widows of shipmasters ; ten the 
widows and mothers of seamen ; three are upwards of eighty 
years of age ; nine between seventy and eighty ; the young- 
est (a cripple, the orphan child of a ship-master) is twenty- 
five, the eldest, still quite helpful and healthy, eighty-three. 

In examining the papers of one applicant for admission, 
three of whose sons had been lost at sea, we found mournful 
evidence " of what the heart can bear " in the following let- 
ter addressed to her by another of her children, dated — 

Tampico Prison, Dec. 13^, 1838. 
Dbab Fatiiek and Mother, 

For the last time on this earth, I take the opportunity of writing, to 
inform you that in a few hours I shall be in my grave. I will state to 
you for your consolation, that I shipped for Brazoria, Texas, and was 
forced to land at Tampico, and have been made prisoner, and am to be 
shot, with twenty-seven others, to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. 

I left my trunk with some other things with Edward Parker, in New 
Orleans. None of my friends knew anything of my departure from 
New Orleans. 

I enclose for a remembrance of me, a lock of my hair and a breast-pin. 
I have nothing more to say, but give my love to my brother and sister, 
and inquiring friends. I hope you nor none of my friends will grieve 
on my account. ; for I die happy. Your affectionate son, 

Wm. C. Bakkley. 

The kindness and harmony that characterize their inter- 
course with each other, and their grateful appreciation of 
the comforts of their home, make it a delightful part of our 



i vlnin and attend to its 

inter. 

nearly all the inmates can either knit or sew, (by 
which to earn their clothing) and idleness is by them bo di 
nave instructed our Supervisor to give as much 

from the store to them as she possibly can, without 

ging the Workwomen wh.0 have families to support and 

- venty pair of soclu have been knit and one 
hundred and thirty-five garments, and two bed-quilts com- 

; for the Mariner.-' Family Industrial S 

the work entrusted to them by individual-. 

A flag-staff having been elevated on the roof of the ob- 

. the old Ladies requested material to be given them 

that they might manufacture a flag. The bunting was pur- 

i —and with untiring assiduity they wrought the 

Completion of their desire and rejoiced to set' the Stars and 

- waving over their heads — hut the stall' caused the 

.k, and we were obliged to have it removed ; it 

ten found necessary to sell the flag, as it was too 

v to float from an ordinary elevation, a good price 
stained \'<>r it. and material for a smaller one purchased 
with part of the proceeds, and the balance appropriated by 
the inmates toward the purchase of a sofa for the chapel 
]>ulj>it. We hope ere long to gratify them with a Buitaole 
taff from which to display their token of patriotism and 
industry. 

Applications t'«»r admission to the Mar- 

1'amilv Asylum, report having admitted twenty 

applies is not coming within the rules 

or undeserving its benefits, and have on record the name- of 

entitled to it- sheltering care, hut whom they 

ifficient mean- to sustain them be 

Tthcoming. <>ne individual has left the Asylum rath- 
er than yield t . ation and respect the rule.-. 

•eh Committee report with gratitude the kind 
rend Mr. I < lhaplain of the Seamen's 

Sabbath afternoon in the chapel of tin; 

mi. 

means b warranted us to undertake the 

of painting or in any way beautifying the outside of 
\ linn, and tlm- render it less on- 
prosperous neighbors. We hope to ren- 

aroiind it more inviting however, and in a 

in tributary v> both the health, comfort and 



53 

support of the Asylum. To the physicians of the Seamen's 
Retreat our aged women are greatly indebted for unwearying 
kindness and attention ; and to both them and Capt. Hart, 
superintendent of the Retreat, our thanks are gratefully 
tendered. Emergencies have arisen in which the aid and 
counsel of these gentlemen has been invaluable to us. 

To the gentlemen composing our Board of Counsel we are 
greatly indebted for encouragement and sympathy. They 
have cheerfully given many hours' attention to the"interests 
of the Mariners' Family Asylum as well as to the general 
business of the Society, and as a faint expression of our grat- 
itude, the Board of Managers by vote constituted them 
Honorary Life Members of the Mariners' Family Industrial 
Society. To Capt. C. H. Marshall the Board extended the 
same compliment. 

" The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul," says the 
proverb, and truly has it proved so to many of us who have 
worked and watched and waited the developments of man's 
will and of God's providence in this enterprise ! The trials 
surmounted in the past, the work wrought out to this pre- 
sent, certainly warrants this Board of "Managers to say to 
their successors in official duties, " Greater is He that is for 
you than all they that are against you," and commending 
the interests of this Society to the care of Him " who went 
about doing good," and to the kind appreciation of a dis- 
criminating community, we surrender our charge. 
On behalf of the Board, 

Mrs. Capt. S. Loveland, 

Sec. M. F. L Soc. . 

March 16th, 1854. 

In regard to the furnishing the M. F. Asylum, we desire 
to acknowledge the energy and efficiency of the Furnishing 
Committee, Mrs. Capt. R. W. Welsh and Mrs. J. I. Perry, 
whose tireless zeal, aided by Mrs. S. C. Hills, (now deceased) 
Mrs. C. A. Irwin, Mrs. R. H. Lambert, and others, made 
up an aggregate of $1621, in cash, besides large donations 
in articles of domestic utility. 

From minutes of Board meetings held April 25th, 1854, 
we extract : 

" Mrs. R. H. Lambert, of the Legislative Committee re- 
ported incidents connected with her business at Albany, and 
congratulated the Board on the success of their efforts to 

4 



54 

k and destitute 

seamen, 
the Board bo their Legislative Commil 
Hawkins and L amb ert, wars voted, recounting their 
in aid of the Bocietj'i plane and Labors, and 
el the high appreciation felt by all their 

Jin. L Ids. U. II. Lambert tendered her r 

. :a consequence of her intended removal 

to California. 

Eleventh Annual R< port. 

Tin: time has again arrived when it becomes the duty of 
ition to render their Annual 
: of the varied aspects of the work entrusted to their 
charg 

past year has not been marked by striking incident 

within our little circle, or extra efforts on behalf of the good 

in which We have enlisted ; still the constant mercies 

of 1 1 i t 1 1 from whom eometh every good gift have been about 

our path. The pestilence has not been permitted to remove 

any of our number, yet sickness and the various removals 

of many of our heretofore efficient laborers, have so weak- 

_*h, together with the unprecedented state of 

.mnereial world, that we cannot report our usual pro- 

. ertheless, we have endeavored to stand in our 

S- they also serve, who wait their master's bid- 
i- abiding will not have been in vain. 

We have one hundred and twenty names on our work- 

. of which about one hundred have- been employed, 

or Leas, during the year, some of whom wo have aided 

with • Othing when we could not furnish work. 

experience of the value of the k% charity 

•dv wish our mean- and strength were equal 

meet the e;ul. We 0U06 had 

think that we should be able, as we ba- 
the demand, limited as 

; but we did not allow for the rapid inc 

of our .rly by immigration, Sfl there have been 

I applications the last year for whom wo 
whom are healthy young 

women. Wl1 -mall children, many of 

■ marked change in the fami- 
lies applying to us / years ago, 



55 

and we feel a necessity laid upon us for renewed and contin- 
ued exertion on their behalf, as most of them are strangers 
to our country, as well as the city. 

The Mariners' Family Asylum. 

Tins portion of our work is separated from the other inas- 
much as it only contemplates providing for the sick, aged, 
and destitute, who are incapable of labor. Our friends will 
recollect that at the time of our last report we numbered 
twenty-six which was not as many as we could accommodate 
in our building, but was all we had the means of supporting ; 
indeed at that time we were nearly a thousand dollars in 
arrears. About the time of our last annual meeting, the 
Trustees of the " Seaman's Fund and Ketreat " had asked the 
Legislature to define the laws relative to the several Institu- 
tions on Staten Island, and the following " Act " was the 
result, so far as the Society are interested : 

An ACT IX RELATION TO THE MONEYS LEVIED BY LAW ON MAS- 
TERS, MATES, MARINERS AND SEAMEN ARRIVING AT THE ClTY 
AND PORT OF New YORK, AND THE DISPOSAL OF THE SAME BY 
THE TRUSTEES OF THE SeAMAn's FuND AND RETREAT, AND 
OF THE GOVERNING OF THE MARINERS' FAMILY ASYLUM. 

Passed April 12, 1854. 

The People of the State of New York, represented in Sen- 
ate and Assembly, do enact as follows : 

§ 1. The Mariners' Family Industrial Society, of the Port of New 
York, together with their Board of Counselors and their successors in 
office for the time being, shall have the control and management of the 
building erected on the grounds of the Seamen's Retreat, agreeably to an 
act passed March 17, 1851, and known as the "Mariners' Family Asy- 
lum," and the ground selected by the committee on the ninth day of 
May. eighteen hundred and fifty-one, and approved of by the Trustees of 
the Seamen's Fund and Retreat, and also the right of way to and from 
said asylum, through the grounds of the Seamen's Retreat, until a public 
street or highway shall be opened, and then such ingress and egress shall 
be by said street or highway. 

? 2. The Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat in the city of 
New York, are hereby authorized and instructed to pay over, monthly, 
to the Treasurer of the Mariners' Family Asylum for the maintenance of 
said Asylum, ten per cent of the amount of money collected the previous 
month by law, upon masters, mates, mariners, and seamen arriving at 
the city and port of New York. 

§ 3. The above-named society, together with their Board of Counsel- 
ors, shall apply such hospital moneys as shall come into their hands 
through the Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat, for the support 
and relief of destitute sick or infirm mothers, wives, sisters, daughters or 
widows of seamen in said asylum, and at such other places as shall by 



56 

them fa misted to promote the objeoti of tbJtiootloii <>f 

shall he rotioTod from said fund or reoeived into 
«aid asylum kotory proof b« famished to tl that the 

r lather of the applicant as the ease may be, 
hath, pi ie nine of making snob application to be admitted, 

psid the tax impoeed by law on seamen arriving at the port ofNev 

§ 4. The • her with their Hoard of Counselors, shall 

>wer to appoint such attendants, matrons, Dorses and assistants as 

i required in said asylum for females, and to il x the amount of 

mpensation which shall be allowed to them, and to 

make such rules and regulations for the government of said asylum at 

they may from time to time deem neoesssry; and said sooiety shall 

annually, during the month of January, render to the comptroller of the 

, an exact and minute specification of the purp 
which the moneys appropriated and directed to be disbursed by this sot 
ihall state the Dumber of persons relieved 
- lid rand, or received into the said asylum for females, the number 
the Dumber remaining in said asylum, certified by tl,. 
dent i ird of Counselors. 

ind parts of acta inconsistent with this act are hereby 
iled. 
| 6. : iall take effect immediately. 

-rn of New York, ) 
tary't Offics. ) 
I have compared the preceding with the original Law on tile in tho 
and do hereby certify that the same is a correct transcript tlure- 
and of the whole of said original. 

under my hand and seal of office at the city of Albany, this 12th 
day of April, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-four. 

A. G. Johnson, "/State. 

In reference t<> tin- Asylum, our Panda were somewhat in- 
creased by it, hut with a Large deht on hand, and the high 
price of provisions, we have not been prepared to enlarge 
our family materially as yet, hut hope soon to be able to 
re all deserving applicants. 

such a resting-place 
c in only be gained by contrasting it with 
iily they were found 
in want, s >rrow, and hopelessness. In the one, an ill-venti- 
lated, i , hired room, where few or none cared for 
anticipated their i . and where, at 
. anticipate no certain abiding* place. In the 
other is found neatness, order, quiet, and comfort ; the t'nll- 
rest snpplj rions atmosphere ; while from 

lightfoJ asylum, the 
My varied land tched and adorn- 

ed wi( beauty by the hand of the Lnfinito 

Architect, and poinl -m nature up to nature's 



57 

God ;" while the great sea, so far as the eye can reach, sings 
ever to the listening ear a holy requiem to " the beloved and 
lost," " mournful and pleasant to the soul." In the one, 
their place to die had no affinities with hope and heaven. 
In the other, the heart cheered by the smile of the Lord, and 
the joy of sin forgiven, may find a type of the house of 
" many mansions," and the love of Him who said to the be- 
loved disciple, " Behold thy mother." 

We cannot conclude this report without reference to some 
of the voluntary laborers whose duties have been almost of 
daily or weekly occurrence, as that of the Chaplain, Physi- 
cian, and Superintendent of the " Seaman's Fund and Re- 
treat," in their attention to the inmates of the Asylum. 

Mrs. M. I. Hubbard, Sec. M. F. I. Society. 

The winter of 1S53-4 witnessed the last struggle of the 
Legislative Committee of the Mariners' Family Industrial 
Society at our State capital. Defeating then the persistent 
efforts of those who had so long differed from us, as to the 
righteousness of the claim preferred, for the sick and aged 
female members of seamen's families, to benefit in some de- 
gree from the taxation imposed on seamen in previous years, 
and securing a reduction of said tax, by righteous legislation, 
and the sympathy and respect of many of our opponents, by 
the tenacity of purpose, and unwearied patience, confidence 
in our cause developed ; with hands unstained, and con- 
science approving, and many friends gained in the conflict, 
our eight years of legislative lobbying, writing, hoping, fear- 
ing, ended, amid the blessings of many ready to perish. 

The Twelfth Annual report says : 

" In reviewing from our present position our work for 
years past, we are brought to a point where the paradox in 
St. Paul's history presents itself, u sorrowing yet always re- 
joicing." We have reason to sorrow that so little has been 
done, and that the means afforded for the advancement of 
our benevolent mission have been so limited ; while we 
cannot but rejoice that so much has been accomplished, both 
pecuniarily and by missionary effort among the classes whom 
we seek to aid. It has been indeed a feeble and a cramped 
instrumentality which has been employed, but the Lord has 
seen fit to bless it, that the glory might be His." 

The business of the Store netted to the employees $1,985. 
Many incidents of interest from the Visiting Committee's 
reports are detailed, proving for the thousandth time the 



58 

propri i6 Buch agency for | 

bat little means can be expended. r liie Asylum with 
unity had been the center of interest to many, and 
the thanks of the Board to the Superintendent, Physician 
and Chaplain of the B. P. and Retreal for many kino:/. 

. and to the Visiting Committee and Committe of Sup* 
. are named by the Secretary | Mrs. (i. W. Johnson) with 
deep gratitude. 
The Thirteenth Report begins thus: 

' Carmen' Family [ndustrial Soci 
the year would gratefully acknowledge the 

goodness and mercy ..f God in preserving their little band 

unbroken by death. Sickness, both severe and prolonged, 

I individual members and their families, from the 

•' which loved members have been severed ; bo that 
much time has been unavoidably occupied that would other- 
wise have been cheerfully given to the Society. 

The 8t0 
a prominent place, as it not only gives to those who 
-tain themselves, the opportunity, but Becures the 
aid and sympathy of their own sex, when most in need, 
while it enables the Managers soon to detect the idle and 
unprincipled applicant, and thus protect themselves from 
imposition, in bestowing the charities entrusted to their 
charge. It also opens a large field for missionary effort, of 
; character, and tends to promote the at- 
tem: public worship in our Bethel churches. 

ing thirteen years past this Society has prosecuted its 

and BO far a.- they could furnish remunerative work — 

with undoubted ; but the per centage Bystem of 

sailor boarding-hoiaBes, and the control of the landlords over 

pits! and competition of trade, together 

witli the chamre incident to the introduction of BCWing- 
may, perhaps, make it nece—arv to relinquish 

co-operation and liberal patronage 

of individuals and benevolent publie Institutions, also BOSM 
under ti d patroiia 

immunity, can 1. ( Mir books show 

made, and between 7<» and BO em- 

. it will be observed, than 
conviction which existed in the 

number should 
; more liberal, that thus the DQ08t needy, 



59 

who were generally mothers, with little children, in many 
instances anHicted with sickness, might not find themselves 
thrown upon the chance support which is but too often 
meted out to the lone woman in a great city. The most 
pressing cases have thus been selected, and permanent em- 
ployment (for the year) given. A number of families also 
have been aided with provision and money. There have 
been some five or six hundred applicants for work. 

The Asylum. 

The Mariners' Family Asylum, for aged, indigent female 
relatives of seamen, is still in a prosperous condition. Visits 
have been made to it semi-weekly by a Yisiting Committee, 
regularly appointed from the Board, besides occasional visits 
from members of the Society, and others interested. Re- 
ligious services have been attended statedly on the Sabbath, 
and one evening during the week, by the Chaplain of the 
Retreat, which have been both profitable and interesting. 
We regret that we are not able to report any hopeful con- 
versions, but we would ask the prayers of God's people, that 
the word thus spoken may not be in vain. 

From the minutes we extract the following, showing the 
indomitable courage of the ladies composing the Board of 
Managers. March 31st, 1857, a proposition to open and 
furnish a religious boarding-house for seamen, was received 
and discussed, and a Committee appointed to attend to the 
business. May 19th, the house having been secured and 
furnished, a special meeting was held there, and the place 
was opened with appropriate religious services and named 
" The New York Mariners' House." The furnishing Com- 
mittee stated their expenditures to have been $495,38. 

Miss M. F. Holbkook, Sec. Mar. F. 1. Soc. 

Fourteenth Annual Report of the Mariner^ Family In- 
dustrial Society. 

In coming before the Society at this time, the Board are 
happy to state that the additional efforts which were contem- 
plated and alluded to in their last Report, have been under- 
taken, and by the blessing of God prosecuted successfully 
throughout the year, notwithstanding the universal and al- 
most unprecedented commercial reverses which have swept 
over the country, spreading devastation and dismay in every 
direction, and shaking to their foundations the oldest and 
best established benevolent organizations among us. 



60 

Ittle monthly Btarted by the Society the 
) enriched by gratuitous contributions from 
many of the Managers, Rev.*U. J. Jones, Bethel Chaplain, 
and others is thus referred to. 

d have been less than two 

hundred dollars, which is considerably Bhoii of the outlay; 

but we have been encouraged by referring to the statistics 

of tl . tVniii which it appears that its re- 

the first year were not more than this, although its 

price was three-fold, hut the Becond year it was nearly Belf- 

Ined. 

While the Board greatly desire to promote the best inter- 

linen and their families by the circulation of the 
paper among them, they also hope through this medium to 

id the knowledge, and increase the patronage of 
Tin Society's & 

and thus enlarge their ability to render material aid to des- 
titute families of seamen, who prefer to work for remunera- 
tive wages, rather than t<« receive assistance as a gratuity. 
It ha- beed a primary object of this Association from its 

foundation to assist destitute families to help themselves, 

and thus promote their permanent relict': every additional 

- experience increases their appreciation of the impor- 

and utility of this feature of their work ; they believe 

the "charity of wages " is the noblest yet devised tor the 

SSed, inasmuch as it leave- the recipient- in possession 

of independence of spirit and self-reliance, which are indis- 
ble to future improvement To furnish such persons 

with work by which they can earn their bread, is to 00 them 
iter kindness than to place them in ease and luxury at 

pect; and their acknowledgments often 

evince a delicacy and refinement of feeling which is more 

ting than the most profuse expressions of gratitude 

would he. In mat, . little timely aid has helped 

them through emergencies, and into circumstances where 
fartl. as become unnecessary. 

Our Mt 

iv, indispensable. Her 

bave been arduous and untiring, and we earnestly 

continue her in a field of useful- 

iliarly adapted. Prom the begin- 

kept a record 



61 

of visits which amount to between six and seven hundred ; 
and they have occupied about fifteen hundred hours of time. 
The labor expended in these visits may not be estimated by 
that occupied in taking a district, and visiting from house to 
house ; for her calls are widely scattered through Williams- 
burgh, Brooklyn, and this city. She feels much hindered in 
usefulness by the limited provision placed at her disposal 
for the poor, which, .though all the Society can allow, is 
quite inadequate to meet the demand. " I could make many 
more visits among the poor," says the missionary, " but I 
cannot go to them and say, ' Be ye warmed, and be ye filled,' 
and preach righteousness to them, and have nothing with 
which to relieve their present necessities ; I cannot do it." 

The Board refer with pleasure to another effort com- 
menced early in the year ; the 

New York Mariners' House 
was opened with appropriate dedicatory exercises, May 19th, 
1857. A goodly company convened on the occasion, many 
of whom passed through the building, and noted with pleas- 
ure its orderly and comfortable arrangements. The furni- 
ture was provided by the friends of the enterprise. One 
room was furnished by Miss M. B., and is called the 
" Pacific," another is called the " Atlantic," and is furnished 
by Mrs. H. M. A., the " Puritan Room " is fitted up by 
the ladies of Dr. Cheever's Church, one room by the 
ladies of Rev. Mr. Rankin's church, one by Mrs. B., the 
widow of a sea-captain ; one is partially furnished by the 
ladies of St. Stephen's Church, and one by the ladies of the 
Madison Street Mariners' Church. 

The house is under the care of Mr. W. S. Wilder ; it will 
accommodate about fifty persons ; it is lighted throughout 
with gas, and has the Croton on every floor. It is upon the 
whole one of the most comfortable seamen's boarding-houses 
in New York. 

Mariners'* Family Asylum. 

The benediction of a kind Providence has rested upon this 
Institution during the year. 

A Missionary Committee was appointed in the beginning 
of the year to attend especially to the religious interests of 
the inmates. These ladies have visited the Institution stated- 
ly ; they have held meetings semi-monthly, and having an 
opportunity for personal conversation, and more free com- 
munion than public service allows, they are encouraged to 



believe thai v not only a source of Instruction, 

but a - I pilgrims. 

itation and genera] care and i 
siLcht • natained throughout the year by memh< 

the Board. 

iding this summary of the year's labors, the Board 
commend tl anew t«» tin- guidance and watchful care 

of their Father in heaven, and to the active sympathy ami 
aid of his children, defiling that whatever aid they render, 
they may do it as unto the Lord, nut grudgingly, for lie 

toveth the cheerful giver; and " that which he hath given 

will he pay him again." 

Miss M. F. IIolbrook, Sec. 
Fifti<nth An,iu<d H<j«>rt. 
Another year, replete with unnumbered mercies, has 
marked its departure OB the calendar of time, and as a Hoard 
of Managers we are called upon to record those mercies, and 

the varied dealings of Providence with us as a Society. 
As we Btood Upon the threshold of the year just passed, we 

38 to some gloomy forebodings. True, the clouds which 
had lowered BO heavily above the commercial horizon were 
partially lifted, and the sun of prosperity seemed again 

g ; but the effect of the revulsion was still upon us, and 
it wis only while we could keep our eye steadily fixed upon 
Him from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, that 

ad courage to go forward. He has been our help, and 

we have not only lived but prospered; and have been en- 
abled t«» add a new and important feature to our work, that 
rionary-at-larjge." The object of the arrangement 

B knowledge Of the various features of our 

work among the churches of Christ throughout the country, 

and t the circulation of tin 4 SjEA-BlBD, thus hoping 

the public generally to the spiritual and eternal 

.men and their families. We also hoped by 

this D obtain increased power to aid them in tins 

locality, it being our Legitimate held of operation, as we are 

ting on behalf of this das- in this port. 

Still • " though often 

•id a sinking heart. Weary, for she 

BS : "It" 1 tab «>r firs, \V\, or 

N., or those destitute orphans, 

1 i them Wanting bread, which the six cents I have 



63 

just spent might supply. I will walk that I ma}' have to 
give." We need not add to this why her heart sinks, for 
where the purse is empty how can we visit the suffering 
poor with other than an aching heart? How speak joyfully 
to them of a home in heaven when the landlord has just 
threatened to deprive them of their home here, and we can- 
not secure it to them for want of means ? How tell them 
to think of their immortal souls, when their bodies are suf- 
fering from cold, and nakedness, and we have no means to 
relieve them ? Thus from the Society's inability to provide 
her vith sufficient means to aid them, her work has been 
greatly retarded ; yet it has not been all in vain. 
The Sea-Bird. 
This little sheet is all abroad, and as we have reason to 
believe, is gaining favor with those whom it is designed to 
benefit, both at home and abroad. In its varied flights 
across the Atlantic, it has rested in the hands of numerous 
seamen, who have since visited the Mariners' House and 
Store — The Sea-Bird notices and advertisements being their 
directory. The results of these visits may be far-reaching, 
far beyond the mere supplying of physical wants, as our Re- 
port of the Mariners' House will show. We believe, too, 
its circulation has awakened an interest in the minds of many 
who, in their secluded homes in the interior, were almost 
wholly unacquainted with the wants and woes of seamen 
and their families ; and as a result, we have already received 
contributions of bedding and clothing, with which to aid 
and comfort the widow and her helpless little ones. The 
average monthly issue has not exceeded thirty-five hundred, 
but its paying list is about fifteen hundred. Most of these, 
however, are taken in clubs, so that a less amount is realized 
from them than if taken by single subscribers. The surplus 
numbers are distributed gratuitously. We should like to in- 
crease this distribution to at least ten thousand, and we look 
to our friends with the hope that they will aid us in this good 
work. 

THE MAREtfERS' HOUSE, 

Established two years since, by this Society, has met, per- 
haps, with all the encouragement we could expect ; though, 
for various reasons, its self-sustaining power has not been 
quite equal to our hopes. It is not calculated to accommo- 
date many boarders, and has been, in some sense, an Asylum 
for the shipwrecked, and for homeless boys — not unfre- 



u 

quently sent there by Borne friend, and whose destitution 
rendered them only a charge npon the house; still, as a 
Christian family boarding-house, it has maintained itschar- 

and Bhared largely in the blessings with which God 

[sited His people during the past year. 

dobs. 

We have the names of more than LOO women on our 

-. wh<> have been employees of the Society ; but we 
regret to say, owing to various causes, this department of 
our work has been Leas prosperous than for some years pre- 
vious, and many a poor wife and mother who has come to 

at her claim to our assistance, has been but sparingly 
supplied with work, and, as a consequence, has gone to her 
dependent family with a sad heart, when, had the demand 
for clothing been neater, we might have said, vi Do all von 

we will supply you with work; " and thus, have saved 
her from want — or worse, the feeling of Belf-degradation 
which is the result of an appeal Tor charity. Our Treasu- 

report will show that from this cause we have been 
obliged to make larger appropriations from the Society's 
funds for the beneficiaries, than formerly. 

Tin-: KABINERS' family ASYLUM 

been an established Institution for six years. The 

family has varied from thirty-five to forty in number. From 

to year, it has been our privilege to report the general 

health of the family, although its inmates were com- 

: of only the aged and inlirm ; hut during the past 
year, death has invaded this retreat, and four aired women 
have pasted into the world of spirits. Three of these were 
up ward of eighty years of age, and one sixty-even. Most 

Omen had not any immediate surviving rola- 

. to be interested in their life or death. They 

K en subjects of that blessed revival 

pervaded the institution during the 

past year. The visits of our Missionary Committee to this 

tution have been seasons of peculiar interest 
In new of past mercies, most of all, in that God has given 
our labor, about sixty souls led t.. Him, and 

by the blood of Jesus, we how low before Him, 
while from our inner beat the Utterance, " Not unto 

U8, but i. ■! the glof 

Mrs. ( I. M 



65 



Sixteenth Annual Report. 

Again does the Manners' Family Industrial Society plant 
its footsteps on the threshold of another year, and again turn 
to review the way in which the Lord hath led it. Light and 
shadow alternate upon the pathway; but still we can truly 
say, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped." Amid the varied 
features of our work, 

THE MARINERS 7 FAMILY ASYLUM. 

stands most prominent on the Society's annals. As, during 
the year previous, death entered the household, and several of 
the aged inmates were borne thence to the narrow house ap- 
pointed for all living, so again we are called to record the 
departure of two. Their work is done ; their days of care 
and anxiety are ended ; and, while we have robed and coffined 
them for ihe grave, it has been a source of comfort to know 
that, through the instrumentality of this Society, the closing 
years of their lives have been rendered less dreary and sor- 
rowful. Kind physicians have visited them ; Christian 
friends have administered to their spiritual necessities; and 
as far as practicable, every want has been supplied. 

During the past year, a greater number of applicants bave 
been admitted than on any other since the first year of open- 
ing the Institution. Of these, most are very aged, and 
others quite helpless and dependent. Several are from that 
class who most keenly suffer in the chilling blasts of adversity 
— those who have enjoyed comfortable homes of their own 
— and others have been in positions of affluence. 

The Yisiting, Supply, and Missionary Committees have 
been very faithful in the different departments of their work ; 
so that the entire operations of the Institution have been al- 
most daily under the supervision of the Board of Managers. 
The Missionary Committee has held weekly religious meetings 
with the inmates ; so that, although without the regular 
services of a chaplain, they have not been without stated 
religious privileges ; and not unfrequently have our minis- 
terial friends devoted a part of the Sabbath to their instruc- 
tion. We have now forty-one inmates, whcse ages vary from 
sixty to ninety years. The general health of the inmates, 
considering their age and circumstances, has been remark- 
able, and every year's experience increases our satisfaction 
in regard to the favorable locality of the. Asylum. We 
believe no spot could have been selected more advantageous, 



66 

as it regards purity of air, beauty of prospect, and whatever 
tends to promote health and comfort 

3 and Physicians ofthe Retreat we owe our 
warmest thanks for their ready response to every call of 
;y ; and to the warm-hearted Superintendent, Captain 
we arc, as ever, indebted for many acta of kindness. 
would remember how much such an Institu- 
tion Is benefited by a library, and from their Btore of books 
which the household have read, Bend an occasional addition 

to the few Volumes now on the shelves of the Asylum, they 

would he doing a truly-good work; and adding greatly to 

the entertainment and real benefit of these aged women. 
BtAioraa' BOOMS. 

rintendent of the Mariners' House, having given 

that he wished t«» vacate the House on the \>\ of May 

last, an effort was made to provide a suitable person to take 

the place; but, failing of success , the Board decided it better 
^continue the Souse, and dispose of the furniture— ap- 
propriating the proceeds of that sold to the benefit ofthe 
poor in charge of the Society. That remaining unsold, being 
much the larger portion of the furniture, was removed to the 
Asylum, where it was much needed, for the accommodation 
ofthe increased number of inmates. 
Tin; BTOJOE, 
Tin- E jreat difficulty in carrying out its origin- 

al design of an industrial Association, and has been compel- 
:ie measure, to change its plan of operations, it 
has been an unsettled question with the Board, during the 

. whether or not the Store be continued. In the 
montii of June, measures were taken to reduce the exp 
in order, if possible, I its own claims, and still con- 

tinue to Supply work t<> its USUaJ employees at a price that 
would pay them ; but .-till large establishments, with a 
liberal supply of sewing-machines in their employ, and 

various other advants their store, made it aimcultto 

i 1 1 1 1 them, and, while paying anything like a 

' . eep thi Btore out of debt. 

Still, unwilling are the Board to withhold 

from " r, and daughter, who have 

for mean.- to feed then. t their 

depe: !•; which hitherto they have 

■Dppl ■ ed to still give out 

work, such as under-clothing, summer-wear, etc. [n 



67 

tills case, they dispense with the necessity of a tailor, and 
employ only their former Superintendent and a boy. The 
rent of the Store is moderate, and, as an office of inquiry and 
applications for aid, and a general centre for the business of 
the Society, it seems indispensable. 

There has been paid in wages seven hundred dollars, 
which might be multiplied to an indefinite extent, had the 
Society the facilities of disposing of the manufactured gar- 
ments. But, in lieu, thereof, they have been compelled, by 
the necessities of the one hundred and twenty-five families — 
representing about four hundred individuals, mostly widows 
and orphans under their watchful care — to distribute eight 
hundred dollars more, in money, provisions, clothing, etc. 

SEWING-MACHINES. 

In addition to that donated to the Society by Wheeler <fe 
Wilson, the appropriation of the Common Council has en- 
abled the Society to purchase five other sewing-machines, 
which it loans to women who have the capacity to learn its 
use, that they may become expert, and thus be encouraged 
to procure one for themselves. These loans have already, 
in several instances, been productive of good results, and the 
Society hopes to see many families thus benefited, 

MISSIONARY. 

The Society's Missionary at large, having, in the month of 
June last, sent in his resignation to the Board, declining to 
act as their missionary for the remainder of the year, it 
was accepted, and no other appointment made to fill the 
vacancy. 

THE CITY MISSIONARY. 

Our City Missionary still continues her walks of usefulness 
among the poor and suffering, and her list of beneficiaries is 
constantly increasing. In no department of our work were 
we so cheered by the gift from the city funds, as in this. 
We have the utmost confidence in the sister who is the al- 
moner of the Society's charities in this direction, that they 
will be judiciously distributed, and that, while the wants of 
the suffering body are met, the soul will be fed with the 
Bread of Life. 

When we cast our eye over the wide field we in our fee- 
bleness attempt to work, we are ready to cry out, almost 
in despair, " Alas ! Master, what shall we do ?" Over three 
cities we are sometimes led by our scattered families ; and 



" .nhattan Island as L22d Street, wo go to visit 

one who ha I work and aid from the store, and who 

still oeeda our sympathy and oversight. We have also aided 

bo their friends in Great 
tain. 

In closing, we again desire to express onr renewed ohliffa- 

• . onr Board of Counsel, and all those friends and d<>- 

: 10 kindly aided nsin prosecuting our work; 

and may the blessing of those ready to perish come upon 

them. * ( '. M. Saz ron, 

THE 9BA-BXBD. 
It was stated at the Annual meeting that the April num- 
ber of the Bba-Bibd would complete the three years of its 

publication ; also that the Seamen's Friend Society now 
a paper of about the same size and character, known 
'sFniKNDj consequently the necessity which 
originated the Sea-bibd (as no paper of the kind was then 
published in the United States) is now obviated. It was 
then unanimously resolved to discontinue the publication of 
the Ska-Bird for the present. We would cordially recom- 
mend the Si.ami;n"s Fbiekd to our subscribers and friends. 

The Seventeenth Annual Report says, with regard to 
Tin: store. 

We regret to say that the force Of changing circumstances 
make- isary to close this department of our work. 

Competition in trade, and the habit of making the sale of 

clothing to seamen a part of the business of almost every 

Bailor boarding-house, and shipping masters, have so divert- 
ed the channels of this bu to make demands for the 
work of our women exceedingly .-mall ; while the almost 

:' tin- Bewing machine has rendered the timer 

■ incapable <■!' paying its way, much L< 

ig up in any degree the interests of the Society's Btore. 

led to this, the iaichful and .efficient Supervisor, Miss 

S. A. Colwell, who has tor year- labored here, giving to the 

me to her for work, not only the " work 

and wages," but I of sympathy and counsel, which 

tern at their labor, and whose praise is the theme 

announced her intention to 

of much delib- 
ide, that the remain- 



69 

ing stock be disposed of at the best possible advantage, pre- 
vious to the first of May next, and thereafter the store be 
finally closed. 

SEWING MACHINES. 

Six new machines have been purchased for our work- 
women during the year, making twelve in all ; about half 
have been paid for in full either by the parties themselves 
or their friends. The Society has appropriated $200 to this 
fund, so that when a machine is paid for, (which is generally 
in small installments) another is purchased for the next 
needy applicant, and so on. For the present it is intended 
thus to continue the use of that fund for the benefit of our 
poor workwomen. 

MISSIONARY WORK. 

In no other department of your Society's labor for the 
sailor's family, have they been so encouraged, as in the field 
occupied by their City Missionary. Through this instru- 
mentality the kind hand of a sympathizing sister is extend- 
ed to these children of want and suffering, and often, as if 
guided by a voice behind her saying, " This is the way, walk 
ye in it," has she gone into their desolate dwellings, carrying 
hope and help, at the very moment when they were ready 
to perish for want of the common necessaries of life. Her • 
visits have indeed been less numerous than in the year pre- 
vious. There have been fewer applications for aid at the 
store ; not, perhaps, on account of less destitution, but from 
the fact that no appropriation from the Common Council 
has this year made for us a fund from which we could give, 
and the tide of want and suffering has been turned in other 
directions. Many families, however, principally among 
those who have for years obtained work from your Society, 
and have thus been considered especially under its care, 
have been frequently visited by the Missionary, and as their 
several cases demanded, been aided, encouraged and com- 
forted. 

It is with gratitude we refer to disinterested kindness, 
and as we recall the varied mercies we have received, in 
new friends and helpers raised up for us, and most of all in 
the recognition of our labors by the Saviour of lost men, in 
that souls have been given as our hire. We feel that al- 
though the past may not have been the most prosperous 
year of your Society, it is nevertheless one for which to 
thank God and take courage. C. M. Saxton, Sec. 

5 



TO 

Tlir Eighteenth Annual Report Bta 

i pleasure we turn from the noise and strife of War, to 

the peaceful doings of a ladies' benevolent society. The 

.-arc. are those whose trials come 

them in the ordinary allotments of God's providence, 

through the casualities of foreign commerce, &c. 

rni: AM I I M. 

In the commencement of our national troubles, the Board 

I they would have to restrict their large-hearted plans, 

and that their missionary would listen to the cry ot the 

mariner's widow in vain, without power to help ot aid them 

; rs ; or that they might he obliged to reduce 
the number of inmates in their beautiful Asylum, and say, 

"Only so many ajre we able t«> rapport." But we have 

found the widow's (h>d has been t<> us in our stewardship, 

better than Our tears, and by carefully husbanding our 
Cether with some donations from the friends of 

admitted, we have heen enabled to add eleven to the 

former number of inmates. Yet the number of applications 

toed our ability to provide for them, and 

we would most gladly enlarge the bounds ot* relief to sailors' 

wi<lows and children, ot" whose destitution we are continu- 
al lv hearing. 

The health of the family has been remarkable, considering 
the variety ot" constitutions winch compose it ; the quiet 
regularity and peacefulness of the institution has a tendency 

to preserve lit'' and health. Two deaths ha 
i in the |.a>t year. The whole number now in the 

asylum is 4»'». Tic Bostrd never, perhaps, felt more alacrity 
in this service Of public good than at present, althougb the 
prolonged and severe i lines! of their valuable secretary has 
>Uod her to resign bet place among them for a season. 
We are still under renewed obligations for services ren- 
dered to the Society by it- various friends, particularly Mi-. 
I;. .1. Thome, Treasurer of the Asylum. 

INI.: J \\o|:K. 

►nsideration, the Board found it n< 
onsibility of the store* which 
thru.-. I ustrial " to their Society. Yettheyendi 

pply poor women with work, ami would he glad to 
- and ship-owners, the bedding, 

to make ap ; this would greatly aid 



71 

many families, in whom they now feel a deep interest, and who 
cannot be helped in any other way. The missionary, accus- 
tomed as she is to the exigencies and necessities of sailors' 
families, often has the heart-ache in seeing so much suffering- 
she cannot relieve. The temptations kindred to their cir- 
cumstances, make her sad because she can do so little to 
save them. Yet she has in the past year been in many and 
many a case, by her counsel and the temporal relief afford- 
ed, an angel of mercy to despairing minds ; she has poured 
in oil and balm upon stricken hearts. Hers is indeed the 
work of the good Samaritan. M. Annesley, Sec. 

Nineteenth Annual Report (1862 & 1863) says of the 

MARINERS' FAMILY ASYLUM. 

In the Institution under our care, we aim at making the 
inmates comfortable and happy, and think few in their own 
homes could enjoy more tranquillity, or have their wants bet- 
ter supplied. iSTo anxious care for food or rent, gives them 
a wakeful hour, and although want and distress has visited 
once wealthy households in our land the past year in the 
ruins of war, yet those in this asylum, for whom we are labor- 
ing year after year, have not lacked any necessary good, or 
felt any restriction of comfort. Truly, we have been obliged 
to economize, and are greatly indebted to our indefatigable 
Committee on Supplies. 

Three inmates have been received, and only one removed 
by death in the past year. Mrs. E. had been a Christian 
from her youth, and being quite alone in the world, she was 
thankful for this Home. Her usual saying, the year and 
a half she was here, was, that she was ; ' all packed up," and 
ready for her final departure. 

The Missionary reports : 

New cases of interest are continually occurring, but we 
shrink from taking more families on our list, as our resources 
are so limited ; for words of sympathy and kindness, pleasant 
though they may be, fall but sadly on the car of one who is 
in want of every comfort. And it is useless, if not folly to 
give spiritual counsel, for it must be powerless upon the 
heart of those who are perishing for want of food and rai- 
ment. We now have on our list fifty-one families, who need 
our care and help. " He that givetli to the poor, lendeth to 
the Lord." 

Owing to the present suppressed state of our commerce, 



we cannot perhapi receive *s much as in other yean from 
the permanent nuidj and with the support of Dearly fifty 
sgeo women, we are at preeent Lo debt Q600. The Society 
have felt it uecesssxj to apply to friends who have ever help- 
ed them in time of Deed. The Managers cannot think of 
easting oil' tin* helpless and infirm, and therefore have under- 
taken the present Fair and Festival, trusting in a kind Pro- 
vidence, who has so largely opened the hearts of friends on 

the Island, and in the city, to aid in this lahor of love. 

Our Missionary's report in her outside work, will power- 
fully prove the necessity of this Home for the aged and 
feeble of sailor-' families. If the more youthful endure such 
trials, what would he the condition of those past work I 

It is indeed an unwonted privilege to be the channel 
through which many temporal, and we trust some spiritual 
"blessings, have flowed into such aching hearts; and if all 
knew by experience how "much more blessed it is to give 
than receive/ 1 our Society would not be so frequently out of 
funds for this department of our work. 

The Board are greatly indebted to Dr. Moffat and Ins as- 
sistant, at the Retreat, for their free attendance upon the 
sick of the Asylum these many years. 

The Society gratefully acknowledge the receipt of five 
hundred dollars, through Alderman Gedney,from the city of 
New York, for the benefit of seamen's widows and orphans 
Coming under the care of the Society. 

M. AmssLET, Sec. 

New Ynrl\.)nu< ISth, 1863. 

->in<v writing the Report, the Fair and Festival have closed. 
And the receipts ($1,686 02) show the liberal patronage hotowed by 

friendi rod rteuora. The ICanageri desire to expreu their grateful ae- 
knowledgmenti to the several chnrchei on Staten Island, together with 

many other friends there and cl-ewhere. Al»o to one and all, for the 
I inii.lv aid thus afforded to the Asylum under their care. 



73 



Twentieth Annual Report (1S63 & 1864) of the Mariner^ 
Family Industrial Society of the Fort of New York, pre- 
sented at its Anniversary held at the Mariners^ Family 
Asylum, June 23^, 1864. 

[The Secretary of the Mariners* Family Industrial Society of the Port of New York, having 
been uuable to be present at the meetings of the Board during the past winter, by reason of 
absence from the City, a Committee were requested to prepare the Annual Report.] 

Completing a score of years in any one work, necessarily 
makes a review of the way interesting to those who have 
toiled along over the difficult places, or enjoyed the sunshine 
of its prosperous hours, or bowed beneath the sorrows so long 
a period may have embosomed. Comparative successes — ■ 
deep disappointments — occasional triumphs, have marked 
the past of our history as a Society ; and now we are remind- 
ed not only of the flight of time, but the mortality of the 
laborers employed by G-od in His providence to lessen hu- 
man woe. 

Regretfully do we mark the past, as a memorable year to 
our Society, by the decease of him who so long and so ably 
has been associated with us as president of our Board of 
Counsel — Lambert Suydam, Esq. Since 1850 he has freely 
given time, influence, and money to our work in behalf of 
seamen's families ; and to the Mariners' Family Asylum, 
from nearly the first step taken towards its erection until its 
completion, and through all the years, since our aged pen- 
sioners have slept beneath its roof, he has always been de- 
voted to its interests, and ready to assume responsibilities 
from which many would have shrunk. Honored and be- 
loved by every one of the officers and managers of the Mari- 
ners' Family Industrial Society, naught is left us now but 
the privilege of mournfully condoling with his stricken 
family and our Board of Counsel ; and praying that we and 
they may be, like him, enabled to live the life of the right- 
eous, that we may die their death. One of our number, who 
was present at his interment, contributes the following 
stanzas to Jiis memory. 

As one waited for his coming, 

At the portal of his tomb, 
In the sweet November gloaming, 

'Mid the fading Autumn bloom ; 



1 1 

wiiii.> awaiting thus In Greenwood 
The tod luiii'i « .1 train, 

ibor 
ri--.ii the uratcber'fl eyei :ilt;utj : 
_ post times, uIicm Christian women,* 
led, coanscled by such men, 

Precious f. i aered then ! 

* * * # # 

Woman (hot — paled i.y Borrow, 

- D from mit the mi-i of \< B 
whom do m 
Could < &k of aught bnl f< ore— 

: ; and the w< 
d palsied, who had died, 
N ita the shelter! he helped rear them. 

: D8 standing by iny Bide ! 
Ami Hi- lo ini rv d world be aMed ! 
Ami thf tick to blm endeared, 
On tii" hills} whose outline (faded, 

A< the evening star impcrirod : 
Human wredU-rfoom yon dark ocean 
Anchored moveless mar the shore, 
Till rweel health unloosed their moorings, 

leata'fl gulf were ferried o'er! 
In tii«- distance rose the city, 

With Itl h unit- of WOe ami sin, 

And the "Hospital of Pity," 

mid its dii, : 

With its doors thrown widely open 
To man, woman, little child. 

Thrrr that loved form threw its shadow, 
n that kind HOB Often smiled. 

Then the Oumahi of Ins sick chamber, 

Where he laid him down ; 
With loved wife and children round him, 

And the pitying Saviour algh. 
Hark! They bring him ! ail that's mortal, 

Now (.11 "Oaken Bluff" | to bide I 
Cro-- and chaplel pasi the portal, 

!!•• loved the Crucified ! a. c. L 

Our Board of Counsel have also been deprived by death 
i companionship and influence of Capt. E. E. £f organ, 
who, sii • I860, has been associated with them in the dis- 
charge of their duties. Few of the members of our Society 
knew him personally, but we had all felicitated ourselves on 
»eing made known t<» us, as hia pro- 
bity and good judgment have long been well known and 
highly valued in this community. 

•iety, grieve to record the death of 
another friend and co-laborer, who has passed away, during 

.::>• industrial Sooiety.ofthe Port of Now York." 
," dedicated I 

I M hlcll lie Wilfl a TruBtcc. 

}i which be w itor and Man • 

hi- l.imily v.nilt in OreOOWOOd. 



75 

the last year, to the better home on high. Capt. James 
Hart, for fifteen years Superintendent of the Seamen's Re- 
treat, will be remembered with sincere regret by all our 
membership, and the inmates of the Mariners' Family Asy- 
lum. Kind and sympathetic to the feeble and aged, full of 
zeal for his Master, and honoring Him in the persons of the 
lowly, Capt. Hart's visits to the Asylum were ever highly 
prized. For years the records of our society teem with ac- 
knowledgments of his willing exertions and hearty sympathy ; 
and to his bereaved widow and children, we tender our con- 
dolence at their loss and ours, and will unite with them in 
striving to meet him in u the house not made with hands." 
The industrial opperations of the Society have not been 
extensive, but the Committee having that branch of our 
work in charge, has accomplished something in our old way 
of " the Charity of Wages." Thankful will we, as a society 
be, if ever God prospers us sufficiently to take the field again 
under our old banner. 

Through the kind interposition of Mr. Richard J. Thorn e, 
Treasurer of our Board of Counsel, a very welcome and 
generous gift of So, 000 was obtained in January from 
Chauncey Rose, Esq., of the city of New York, for the 
Mariners' Family Asylum. This liberal donation could not 
have come more opportunely, as the prostration of our com- 
merce has decreased the revenues of the Seamen's Fund and 
Retreat, and made us anxious for the future. This benefac- 
tion, thanks to the prudent foresight of our Treasurer, Mr. 
Thorne, is now profitably invested. 

The privilege of welcoming back to our hearts and homes 
those of our friends who have long been absent, can be by 
few more highly appreciated than by those long associated 
in works of usefulness. This pleasure, in its highest degree, 
was the portion of the old friends and managers of the Soci- 
ety, when they welcomed back from a nine years' sojourn in 
California, Mrs. R. H. Lambert, a former manager, for years, 
of the Mariners' Family Industrial Society, and the one who 
first touched the spring that by its vibrations, prolonged but 
steady, resulted in the erection of the Home, in which we 
are now assembled. A public reception of Mrs. Lambert 
was held at the Mariners' Family Asylum, on the fourteenth 
of January, and in addition to the pleasure of meeting her 
former fellow-laborers and later friends, Mrs. L. was made 



n 

the recipient of tangible) evidence of the feeling ber return 
elicited, Kb the shape of ■ photographic album, filled with 
the photographs of man j of those present, and ox some wli<>, 
daring her absence, tf had ceased to work and live." The 

presentation address was made by Dr. Moffat, to whom, after 

urpriso at this nnexpeeted denouement had partially 

subsided, Mrs. Lambert responded in language appropriate 

and affecting. 

An album exactly similar bad been provided tor our be- 
low 1 Directress, (associated with Mrs. L for years, on the 
Committee for obtaining Legislative enactments with regard 

to the building and sustaining the Mariners' Family Asy- 
lum,') but which could not be presented then, as illness pre- 
vented her attendance at the reception. 

MARINERS' FAMILY A8YLUM. 

In regard to the Asylum, the Oommitte on supplies have 
justified the former estimate of their good judgment and 
economy. Increased expenditure has been necessary, not 
only owing to the rise in price of all articles of family use, 
but in consequence of the sickness and deatli of many of the 
inmates. 

Thirteen of the number comprising the Asylum family at 
our last report, are now of the household of the dead. Some 
of them while living, adorned the doctrine of God our 
Saviour, and to them death had no terrors; others lived re- 
gardless of God, and k dying, left no sign." It is our prayer 
that henceforward none of our inmates may live prayerleSS 
Uvea, <>r die the death of the ungodly. 

Amid the varied duties of the Managers <>f this Society, 
bring a sweeter reward than those growing out of our 
relation to tin- aged Ones of our Asylum family. 

To Drs, Moffat and Washburn, whose time and sympathies 

have been so deeply taxed by our suffering and dying in- 

-. '.nr appreciative gratitude is due. Whenever re- 

omested, and to tbe last that could be done with hope of 

. and to all that could in the least mitigate their dying 

]>:oiL r -. their skill and attention were alike directed. 

To tie- Rev Mr. Van Buskirk, who has officiated asOhap- 

'U r grateful thanks are tendered j and also to tbe Kev. 
Mr. Carr, for bis daily visits to tbe lick an 1 dying. May 

■ at day, find their M labor of love M was not 

in vain in tbe Lord.*' 

and faithful serviees «»t* our Matron during 



77 

such a year of trying anxieties and toil, are warmly ap- 
preciated. 

OUR MISSIONARY REPORTS: 

" That the sum of $500 has been disbursed among the sick, 
the widowed and the fatherless ; and He who has thus re- 
lieved their necessities the past year, is their and our Father. 
Five of our beneficiaries have died, trusting in the merits of 
Jesus ; a number of others have deceased, who left behind 
them no evidence that they had a u house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens." Oh, how many, cumbered 
with the cares of this life, fail to regard the life to come as 
they ought, and will not hearken to the injunctions of God's 
word." 

Our missionary's field is extensive, and her duties lead her 
into many scenes of suffering, not only in the sorrow-smitten 
homes, but in the crowded hospitals, the dreaded Alms 
House, and at the pauper funeral. 

The oversight of motherless and orphaned children, the 
effort to make the scanty store supply the needs of worthy 
families, until " the ship shall arrive," or the husband and 
father " be heard from," often taxes both her sympathies and 
ingenuity to the utmost. 

We have 57 families on our list now needing aid and 
sympathy. To give lengthy extracts from the Eeport is not 
in our power ; but the necessity of keeping up such an in- 
tercourse as this agency affords, is daily deepening in our 
minds, and we entreat those who remember the sailor, the 
soldier, and the soldier's family, also to regard our plea for 
the sailor's family : 

" For 'mid our City's wild unrest, 
Heaves the young widow's aching breast, 

The sailor's child is here; 
The sailor's mother, grey with care, 
For her lost boy sends up a prayer, 

While few her anguish cheer." 

Our Treasurer, E. J. Thorne, Esq., so long and so faith- 
fully discharging the onerous duties of his office, has our 
highest appreciation — our warmest thanks. So often ap- 
pealed to for advice, so heavily burdened at times with our 
cares, and yet so patient as to challenge our admiration, and 
so willing a co-laborer, bearing with the imperfections of his 
coadjutors — the Managers of the M. F. I. Society — through 
all these years, we can but record our sense of all this as 



I 

f our gratitude, In order be oonvinee others of 

the debt of grateful consideration we owe Mr. U. .1. Thome, 

we subjoin the tenth article of the Fydaws of the Society : 

e Board of Counsel anal] elect one of their Dumber to 

-urn- for all moneys received from the Board of 

Trustees of the Seaman'.- Fund ami Retreat, for the support 

Mariners' Family Asylum, in accordance with the law 
tjf l^.M-. who shall examine all hills ]»ivsrnted by the (om- 
mittee of Supplies for the Mariners' Family Asylum, and (if 

approved by him,) sign them, paying over to said ( lommittee 
a sufficient amount to meet sM obligations." 

To our he a ve n ly Father would we ascribe the praise, and 
bleu II im for permitting as to see bo many good results 
from to feeble a beginning. 

Mns. ('apt. S. Loyilanp. 
. nf M. ]<\ I. s,,r. on A it n. Report 

The Fair held at the time ef the Annual Meeting at the 
Mariners' Family Asylum, netted $775.70 besides donations 
in kind, valuable in a family like that at the .Mariners' 
Family Asylum. 

The thanks of the Board and Fair Committee are grate* 
fully tendered to all who aided hy their gifts, labor, or pat- 
ronage, towards Mich a result. 

To those who have accompanied us thus far through the 
Is of the Mariners' Family Industrial Society, we may 
say without egotism, " the half has not been told of the op- 
probrium and persona!) sacrifices endured in behalf not only 

•k and destitute female relatives of seamen, 
but also because of <>ur Quixotic (as some declared > effort to 

- wages \'>>v a fair day's work, in other 
word- " the Charity of Wages." 

Whether tin: battle were bravely fought or no, the follow- 

i •;' the results : 

itablishing and sustaining from l^ll to L862 the 

'I irinerB J Family Industrial Boeiety 

M.-d for merchandise $46,768, for wag 70, for 

i ..:. 

from L648 to L864 had distributed among seanien's desti- 

| I F I I I, and in addition Sl't,;, J 1, f,, 

lupperi she Mariner.-' Family AeyLnm, making a grand 
total of i' raMons purpose 



79 



The expenditure connected with our efforts to obtain 
legislative sanction, to our plans for the best good of our aged, 
sick and destitute, involved an outlay of $±10, an insignifi- 
cant sum as compared with the resultant good. 



BOARD OF COUNSEL. 



It seems proper at this time to make some reference to 
matters, other than the foregoing, especially concerning the 
induction of our Board of Counsel. Up to, and during the 
fourth year of the M. F. I. Society's existence, they had an 
" Advisorv Committee of Gentlemen," the first, consisted of 
Rev. H. Chase, Eev. B. C. C. Parker, E. D. Hurlbut, Esq., 
Win. II. Aspinwall, Esq., Capt. C. II. Marshall, Augustus 
Whitlock, Esq., Capt. W. L. Hudson (of the Xavy) and 
Capt. Kath'l Briggs. A change was then made, and the 
services of gentlemen were requested as a Board of Counsel, 
and after petitioning the Legislature for, and obtaining a 
Charter, said charter named the following gentlemen as our 
first Board of Counsel, viz. : Rev. J. C. Brigham, Eev. II. 
Chase, Rev. B. C. C. Parker, Capt. Tyack, Capt. S. Candler, 
Capt. C, II.. Marshall, Capt. Kath'l Briggs. 

In 1851 our Board of Counsel stood thus : Mr. Lambert 
Suydam, President, Mr. John B. Graham, Mr. Richard J. 
Thorne, Treasurer, Mr. Frederic G. Foster, Capt. Russell 
Sturgis, Capt, Wm, B. One, and Capt. Nath'l Briggs, 
Secretary. Other gentlemen have filled vacancies caused 
by death or resignation, and prominent among those who 
have served, or who are at present serving as our Counselors, 
we may name Capt, Jeremiah Briggs, Frederick G. Foster, 
Esq., Charles W. Hawkins, Esq., Capt. E. E. Morgan, and 
C. IS". Bovee, Esq., Legal Counselor. 

The changes made by death were first, John B. Graham, 
Esq., in 1S53 — our highly-esteemed President, Lambert 
Suydam, Esq., in 1863 -.ud Capt. E. E. Morgan in the 
present year. 



From the commencement of our work as a Society, we 
were for years favored with the countenance and co-operation 
of the Bethel Chaplains of the Port, and gratefully do we 
acknowledge our indebtedness to Rev. H. Chase, Rev. B. C. 
C. Parker, Rev. I. R. Steward, Rev. Mr. Remington, and 
Rev. C. J. Jones, for counsel, sympathy and personal effort 
on our behalf. 



so 



We reprint the nanus of the < Mheers ami Managers of the 

M. F. I. s >ciety, for the first two years of its existence, and 
rejoice that bo many are still identified with us. 

Fir>t Board of Officers and Managers of the M. F. I. Society 1844, 

hi. I. N; Dinttrm; Mrs. Q, \V. Hawkins, 2d Direc- 
tress; I i.olor, ftaotMJH • / lira EL Ileimcr, S t rret<iry. 

v C;ipt. John Williams. Mrs. F. Bennet, Mrs. D. Gk 
Taylor, ICra B. Bovee, ICra J. ICoOomb, MLisa F. Skaats, Ifisa ELGelston, 
Mrs. i. p, Ward. ICra R. Demilt, Mrs. F. HenneU, Mrs. Capt T. Lam- 
bert, Mrs. c. Riohardson, M h a. Stewart, Kiss M. Vale, lira L Mills, 

Patrick. Mrs. G. T. Hall, Mrs. Capt. Woglom, -Miss Burns, Mrs. 

01 Pendleton. 

. .-.1 of ( hlhvrs and Managers of the M. F. I. Society, 1845. 
Mrs. C. W. Hawkins. 1st Dir mt rm} Miss M. Yale, 2d Direct re.is ; Mrs. 
J. O. Taylor, Treu»unr ; Mrs. C. Tracy, Secretary . 

Manager*: — Mrs. Capt. J. Williams, Mrs. Capt. J. Bovee, lira Capt 
. . i. ICra Capt.T. Lambert Mrs. Oapt F. B. French, Mrs. Capt. I. 

E. Turner, ICra Cap:. A. Adams, Mrs. E. Bennett, Mrs. a. Silvey, Miss 
B. Bkaate, Be*. Mrs. n. Ohase, Mrs. c. Bnokhoot, Mrs. s. <;. Steele, Mrs. 

Win. Avery. Mr.. S. A. Peach, ICra Ii. I. Brown, Mrs. U. P. Ward, Mrs. 

A. L T. Ohisholm, Mi>^ B. Whittlesey, Mi-s a. Stewart. 

Ladies' Committees. 

The arduous dojiei of Btore Committee were for years faitlifully dis- 
charged bf Mrs. 0. Tracy, Mrs. Capt. II. W. Welch, Mrs. Oapt. I. 

. ICitt B. Ifoody, and for a shorter period by Mrs. c. N. Bovee. 
has been tilled by the following ladies : Mrs. 

I. 1. I/idlam. Mis. Oapt T. J. Bird, Mrs. 

Uer, Mrs. Oapt B. W. Welch, Mrs. C. A. Irwin. Mrs. J. J >. 

Tayl.c- for, Mrs. .1. B. Ooming, Mrs. J. I. Terry, Mrs. (J. W. 

Johnson. 

. aittes on Supplies ,1 for the. Mariners' Family Asylum 1ms 

be«Qo: pied to turn, (or associated) by Mrs. 

i . Lambert, i:. W. Welch, lira J, L Perry, Mrs. (.;. 

w. Johnson, ICr#. M. Alexander, and ICra M. E. Bogera 

tottol Of this committee have beta 

ICra B. Bcnmtt, Mrs. 0. A. Irwin, 

U ('apt. A. A. Qoming, Mrs. ('apt. A. Mills. 

Applloantl admitted . . . N 

" aismlmefl . . • .12 

of their own aoeord ■ 10 

Deeeneed •'»- 

40 

187 
Bonorary Hemfr n u . • • $ 



81 

Scores of applications on behalf of those not legally entitled, have been 
investigated, and papers returned. 

The ages of those who have been admitted have ranged from sixty to 
eighty generally, but in a few instances persons under fifty have been 
accepted. 



For twelve years (from 1848 to 1862) Miss Sarah A. Colwell served as 
Supervisor in the Society's store, meeting the obligations of her position 
with tact and energy, and bearing with her into private life the as- 
surance of appreciation by the Board. 



The industry of our managers is well attested by the fact that the 
Fairs held by them have netted to the Society the sum of $8,810. 



As Officers or Managers, the following ladies have served : 


Mrs. C. W. Hawkins 


20 years. 


Mrs. M. Egbert 


" Capt. J. Bovee 


" u 


" Wm. M. Harris 


" J. I. Perry 


15 " 


" Capt. I. E. Turner 


" C. A. Irwin 


14 " 


44 " A.Mills 


" Capt. J. Eaton 


11 - M 


Miss M. Vale 


" " T. Lambert 


10 " 


Mrs. Wm. Avery 


« " R. W. Welch 


H t( 


" C. Tracy 


M " S. Loveland 


u u 


" C. M. Saxton 


44 G. W. Johnson 


II II 


" C. M. Rogers 


" E. W. Marsh 


II If 


" E. Cowdrey 


" T. Truslow 


9 " 


u S. C. Hills 


44 Capt. J. Williams 


8 " 


11 U. P. Ward 


" " J. Davis 


u ii 


11 Capt, J. L. Pendleton 


11 Wm. Alexander 


ii ii 


" " S. Candler 


Miss Skaats 


x ii 


11 " A. Adams 


Mrs. Capt. F. B. French 


7 " 


" " E. C. Waterman 


44 E. Bennett 


" " 


14 " M. Thompson 


11 G. Jarvis 


ii ii 


" " P. A. Brown 


" T. H. Lankford 


ii .ti 


" " L. B. Gorham 


" C. N. Bovee 


it ii 


" " L. J. Briggs 


Miss S. Moody 


ii ii 


" Rev. H. Chase 


Mrs. Capt, T. J. Ludlam 


6 " 


" H. Kerr 


M " I. Bursley 


ii ii 


" T. Paine 


" "J. L. Roberts 


" " 


" H. Waterman 


44 " N. W. Eveleigh 




" C. S. Loper 


11 " A. A. Corning 


ii ii 


" S. McDonald 


" " T. J. Bird 


ii ii 


" Wm. Wilson 



5 years. 



82 

(torn u poena, n i-itu-n ss F en t esai 
air opened by th< of the M. F. I. B 

>rd. 

i ay, ire only plead 
For the Bailors Iojm «i ones' i .■■■ 
And heed their tale ol n 

to blanch beneath th. < f( 

",</> th. -ii- louelincsa and tears 
Their anxious caret i<> Know. 

■ shrink wii.-n tempests roei, 
Aud irrecki are strewn along the iho 

Or wiuii oar bag ball-mast high aotit, 
Amid war's harsh, discordant notes, 
Willi pestilence a lee. 

What though our homes arc girded rouud 

By gladsome sight and pleasant sound, 

And tbein by misery t 

A Ban ken rock— a dark* eight — 

A parted rope our patb may blight, 

Aiut m MMc sympathy. 

H an rolls o'er shat t ered wreck, 

roken spar and splintered deck, 

I Spoil more rich and rare : — 

/'../•//!>, coal in Nature's manliest mold, 
JLiris, freighted wit ii affection'! 
All crushed, lie wasting (here. 

I 'mill our city's wild unrest, 
Hi ivr.- the youug widow's aching breast — 

The Sailor's child Is here ; 
ThoAallor*8 motber, grey with care. 
For her lost hoy Beuds up her prayer, 

While few her angnish cheer. 

- • - 1 1 i - 1 » moth i "t — 

I ii n would cheer the mourner's lot, 
IdoW's (ear would dry ; 
w .did busb th'- orphan's cry for bread, 
And hid the hungry all be Fed, 
And | apply. 

While aiming Ibus, we do not seek 
the poor, destitute and 

• to tear;— 
we VfOUld not pink- 
ni,' on the brink 
With wan' and w-.- and I 

■mid to ind . 

.. depend; 



AJ.MII'.A 0. l.''Vr.I.\\l>. 







' t act to own ; 






lily:— 










